Member Article

Biochemica boss opens search for next ‘Apprentice Great’

A Teesside water management company has launched a search to find its first Laboratory Technician Apprentice – the role which kick started the career of its Managing Director and gained him recognition as one of the region’s most successful business leaders.

Billingham headquartered Biochemica UK Ltd is the North East’s largest independent water and wastewater treatment specialist. Formed in 2007 by Managing Director Dave Ruddy and Commercial and Technical Director Dr Tim Robinson, the company has grown year-on-year and today operates nationwide and in Ireland with its sights set on international growth.

Former Laboratory Technician Apprentice, Dave began his profession with support from the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) as his apprenticeship training provider. Having led Biochemica to its success, Dave was named as one of the NECC’s ‘Apprentice Greats’ as part of its two hundredth year anniversary celebrations.

Biochemica has now joined forces with the NECC to fill the newly created Laboratory Technician Apprentice role, which could offer a local youngster the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of its co-founder.

Dave said: “I’m proud to be an apprentice champion and Biochemica appreciates the significance of apprenticeships as a career path, especially as many of our staff started their working lives by taking this route.

“I enjoyed my apprenticeship because it gave me the chance to learn a wide range of on-the-job technical skills from seasoned experts, something we can promise to deliver for our new Laboratory Technician Apprentice role. It opened the door to my career, so there are great possibilities for the successful candidate.”

Last year, Biochemica saw an intake of four local youngsters across different areas of the business, from warehouse operations to the day-to-day running of its head office.

Two further Warehouse Assistant Apprentices, taken on the year prior, were given permanent positions after completing their programmes with Biochemica. Both employees have gone on to expand their skills in the field, providing Biochemica’s specialist services in the areas of wastewater treatment and Legionella control.

In addition to the Laboratory Technician Apprentice vacancy, Biochemica is creating at least two more employment opportunities within the next month. As a result of the ever-growing demand for water treatment chemicals from new and existing clients, the company is seeking more apprentices to enhance its warehouse and logistics function.

Dave added: “Apprenticeships bring value not only to our business but the wider regional economy so we are committed to investing in young people to support our ambitious growth strategy.

“The successful candidate for this new role will gain hands-on chemistry experience in a quality control laboratory. On top of this, they will also learn about our complete package of technical services from effluent, boiler and cooling water treatment to Legionella control and Ecochemica, our environmentally-friendly business stream.

“With this broad knowledge and experience in their arsenal, who knows, they could one day become Biochemica’s next Managing Director.”

NECC President Mike Matthews also started his career as an apprentice. He said: “This is a great opportunity to learn a valuable vocational skill. Through NECC’s Apprentice Greats book we saw that many leading business people began their careers as apprentices, myself included.

“Appointments such as this certainly bring exciting prospects. NECC is keen to facilitate greater collaboration between business and education so to see Biochemica offering this interesting role is very encouraging.”

Those interested in learning more about the Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship can contact Kristina Sherwood at the NECC on 0300 3036322 or via email at kristina.sherwood@necc.co.uk. Candidates must be aged 18 or over and should apply direct at www.necctraining.co.uk by 11 March 2016.

For further information about Biochemica UK Ltd, visit www.biochemica.co.uk, call 08455 045440 or email info@biochemica.co.uk. You can also find Biochemica on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Google+ by searching Biochemica UK Ltd.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Biochemica UK Ltd .