adi Group shortlisted for The Manufacturer MX Awar...

A West Midlands based manufacturing business has been shortlisted in The Manufacturer MX Awards 2017.

The multi-disciplined engineering services firm, adi Group will now compete with the UK’s leading manufacturers in the Partnership With Education category.

The accolade follows the Group’s successful launch of the UK’s first Pre-Apprenticeship programme for students aged 14-16 which launched in September 2016, providing 14-16-year olds in the local area with practical training in a real-world environment.

A new class of 12 pupils in Year 10 at North Bromsgrove High School are set to join the scheme in September, spending half a day per week in a live workshop at adi’s headquarters in Kings Norton as part of their EAL Level 1 Engineering and Manufacturing qualification.

The adi Group pre-apprenticeship is an accredited qualification that makes up 10% of the overall GCSE curriculum at North Bromsgrove High. The programme lasts two years and is completed alongside regular GCSEs.

Students attend adi’s workshop for one afternoon per week during term time, developing the practical skills needed to carve a successful career in mechanical and electrical engineering. Core to the programme’s delivery is that all mentoring at adi’s facilities, is carried out by adi’s own employed tradesmen.

A key part to adi’s people strategy is inspiring the next generation of young engineers via the pre-apprenticeship scheme by delivering nearly 100 pre-apprenticeships by 2020. The vision is that the pre-apprenticeship model and approach will reach out to thousands of children, via a network of like-minded businesses interacting with their local schools.

Alan Lusty, Chief Executive Officer at adi Group said:

“We are delighted to have been shortlisted for the Partnership with Education award and are looking forward to the big event in November.”

“Over the last three years, we have been closely working with North Bromsgrove High School as part of Business In The Community’s ‘Business Class’ initiative and it is fantastic to have this partnership recognised.”

“The Midlands is known for its world-class engineering, and we as a company are committed to inspiring the next generation of hands-on engineers and providing employment opportunities across the Midlands.”

“Over 600,000 people in the Midlands work in manufacturing, delivering over 21% of the UK’s annual manufacturing output. As a result, it is vital to ensure young people receive the training they need to take on the high-paid, high-skilled jobs of the future.”

The Manufacturer MX Awards are universally acknowledged as the gold standard for bench-marking performance across a range of manufacturing categories, among companies large and small. They involve a detailed investigation of each entrant’s citation by groups of judges, who visit each factory in turn to inspect processes, and interview management and staff.

Shortlisted companies now face the rigorous second round judging process. Eight of this year’s categories will have site visits from the judging panel throughout September, while the remaining categories will be judged on 20 September where they will present to a panel of experts.

Paul Brooks, UK Business Development Director – Manufacturing, Santander Corporate & Commercial, said:

“Supporting manufacturers remains a key focus for Santander in 2017 and sponsoring these fantastic awards is one way to showcase our commitment to the sector throughout the year. We understand the fundamental importance of manufacturing to the success of the UK economy and that’s why it’s so exciting to see so many innovative and new finalists making the shortlist. We look forward to celebrating with them in November at the awards.”

Philippa Oldham, Head of Transport and Manufacturing at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said:

“The TMMX Awards are designed to help drive improvements in the operations of all the companies involved. Entrants get free benchmarking and professional advice based on an audit of their business. Manufacturing remains at the heart of the UK’s economy, and yet again this year we are delighted to see the vibrancy and talent at work in the sector.”

Nick Hussey, CEO of Hennik Research – publisher of The Manufacturer and organiser of The Manufacturer MX Awards ceremony each year in association with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers – explained: “This is a true measure of the real dynamism in UK manufacturing.

“We hear so often that we don’t make things in this country any more. Nothing could be further from the truth. The growing excitement around the The Manufacturer MX Awards shows manufacturers are keen to demonstrate how innovative, dynamic, and in some cases truly revolutionary they really are.”.

The winners will be announced at the black tie gala dinner on 16 November at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool at the biggest celebration in the UK manufacturing calendar.

Find out more about adi Group’s Pre-Apprenticeship Programme here.