Member Article

Signage apprentices give business the “edge” in Yorkshire

West Yorkshire-based Leading Edge Signage is investing heavily in apprentices to support the growth of its expanding operation.

In the seven years since the company was launched, Leading Edge has grown from four to 40 staff and began employing apprentices after just six months in business. Managing Director Matthew Evans has pledged that, for the team which specialises in designing and producing display and graphics for retail, hospitality, leisure and the food retail industries, 10% of the growing workforce will be made up of apprentices over the next five years.

Installation Manager Joe Addison (22) joined the company in 2009 as an apprentice sign maker. Winning Apprentice of the Year in 2010, Joe qualified in 2011 and now leads a team of 10 people on a multi-million pound UK retail graphics contract.

“Leading Edge took a risk taking me on when the company had just four employees back in 2008. The team’s confidence in me means I’ve grown with the business and worked across the expanding operation in metal fabrication, the print studio and in vehicle wrapping.

“Since qualifying I’ve been promoted four times and there’s still so much opportunity to progress. Ours is a fast moving industry and our projects and contracts are so diverse, there’s no better place to get the experience and learn the expertise needed to be the best you can be.”

Recently qualified apprentice and fitter Joe Bowman had his sights on teaching sports until an interview with Leading Edge Signage Managing Director Matthew Evans led to a two year apprenticeship. Meanwhile 19-year-old Jake Render is half way through his three-year fabrication and welding apprenticeship, studying his NVQ Level 2 in Engineering Operations at Bradford College.

Jake said: “I started working life in a warehouse but realised I wanted to expand my skills into something more challenging. Learning on the job means I’m picking up the skills far quicker and I’m getting the sort of experience that will help me progress further in the company.”

Managing Director of the Gomersal-based company Matthew Evans said the company’s growth strategy is steeped in bringing new talent into the business and a further two apprentices will be appointed this year.

“As a business, we are committed to developing the next generation of designers, sign makers and fitters because this is a skilled industry that continues to develop and challenge. Our future lies in the hands of the current and the future generations of young people and we’re looking forward to continued growth, not only in the business but also in the apprentices we employ.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .