Apprenticeship scheme goes from strength to strength
Young people are making a big impact here at Norcott, injecting their open-mindedness and enthusiasm throughout our workforce.
Many are part of our apprenticeship scheme, launched a year ago in collaboration with Riverside College in Widnes. It was instigated as a result of a skills shortage, and is helping to attract more young people into electronic engineering careers.
The apprenticeship scheme enables us to support a number of young people at the start of their careers and we, in turn, benefit from their new ideas and different ways of thinking.
So far, apprentices have joined Norcott to gain experience and qualifications in a range of disciplines, from printed circuit board assembly using complex surface mount pick and place machines, through to functional test and information technology (IT).
Russ Magee, Managing Director, said: “Electronic engineering is a fast-paced industry where there is enormous value in creating teams which combine experienced professionals with young minds which are receptive to learning and never afraid to ask ‘what if’.
“We’ve been really impressed with the apprentices we’ve taken on and Riverside College has helped us to provide the support and training each apprentice requires.
“Norcott has certainly gained as much from the apprenticeship scheme as the young people we’ve taken on, and are looking forward to continuing the scheme for the future.”
Ryan Histon, who began his apprenticeship last December, says he has gained much from the experience of working at Norcott.
“I was studying computer science at university but decided to take a different path and gain some real-life experience,” he said. “Norcott was the only company which actually wrote back to me and gave me a chance. I’ve been taught how to set up the surface mount machines to assemble the PCBs to ensure everything works like clockwork. A tutor visits me from Riverside College once a fortnight to ensure my training stays on track and to assess me for my NVQ Level 2 qualification.
“I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship programme to other young people, I think it’s a fantastic way to start your career, get some hands-on experience and learn from other people. When my NVQ is complete I’m hoping to go on to achieve an HNC in electronics engineering.”
If you are interested in applying for an apprenticeship scheme with Norcott, please email your CV and a covering letter to vacancies@norcott.co.uk. All vacancies are advertised on our website.
