Member Article

TNT recruits female engineering apprentice for Washington manufacturer

Armour Plastics has over 30 years worldwide experience of providing engineering solutions to the plastic thermoforming industry. The company, which has two sites across the North East, approached TNT in the summer to explore the possibilities of recruiting an engineering apprentice. After a series of visits by TNT an apprenticeship model was developed which would enable a young engineering apprentice to gain knowledge in various activities within the Washington production facility. These activities include fabrication, installation, commissioning and maintenance.

Last March Laura Gilmour, aged 17, completed her application form and began the long recruitment journey which would ultimately lead to her securing her dream apprenticeship with Armour Plastics. After completing the full recruitment process TNT identified that Laura had already completed the NVQ Level 2 PEO qualification which is the block release workshop activities of an apprenticeship and the Sub Diploma in Engineering at South Tyneside College. This meant that she could literally start an apprenticeship straight away in the workplace.

When Armour Plastics first interviewed Laura they immediately recognised that she would be a real asset to the business. Not taking things for granted though Armour Plastics interviewed her twice and even gave her an opportunity to work there on a trial basis to make sure that the job was right for her. Laura leapt at the opportunity and accepted the job straight away.

Chris Milne TNT Training Officer commented “When Armour Plastics approached TNT last year they were open to suggestions on what would make a great apprentice. We had a series of meetings exploring different routes and activities which would best suit the company and give a young apprentice the real opportunity of learning the full engineering activities within the company. TNT had to identify a young person who would be able to understand the different facets of engineering and embrace different disciplines. When we first met Laura last April we were convinced that she would secure an apprenticeship but it had to be the right one. Armour Engineering ticked all the boxes!”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tyne North Training Limited .