Apprentices bring new ideas to our business

MANAGING director Louise Parfitt (centre) pictured with her team

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A MANUFACTURER of specialist doors has spoken about the value of apprenticeship programmes with Oldham College.

Aspire Group 360 designs and makes metal doors for industries including food processing, agriculture, medicine and car production lines.

The Chadderton firm has also made doors for luxury yachts and the Library of Birmingham archives.

The business is run by Louise Parfitt and husband Justin in Fields New Road and has 20 staff ­- including a group of past and present apprentices.

As well as investing in staff training, Aspire has invested in manufacturing equipment to handle steel and aluminium fabrication and temperature-control and insulation materials.

Louise (49) is a strong advocate of apprentices and said: "They bring in new skills and fresh thinking. I believe that everyone should have input into a business.

"Two years ago our workforce was quite mature and, though they are very experienced and skilled, we wanted more youth and ideas.

"I'd definitely encourage other businesses to take on apprentices and I'd recommend young people to consider apprenticeships - especially girls. Engineering and manufacturing is now a high-skill, hi-tech industry."

The firm's current apprentices are Jack Holland and Luke Butterworth, who work with Oldham College on their programmes. Jack (22) from Lees, has restricted hearing but is flourishing as an apprentice. After leaving Crompton House School he enrolled on a joinery course then did a series of temporary jobs.

He started at Aspire Group last summer on a one-year level two manufacturing operations apprenticeship.

He said: "I'm working on assembly and I love it because it brings together different trades and skills.

"Because I didn't get a maths qualification I'm studying that too at Oldham College. So far, I've done a level one maths course. Although I don't strictly need this for my apprenticeship, it's good to have it."

He added: "I recommend apprenticeships. There are loads of opportunities and you earn while you learn."

Other young Aspire staff, such as Carl Abraham and Ryan Armitage, have completed their apprenticeships and are now full-time employees. Another, Thomas Thorley, is now a team leader.

Oldham College's employer engagement and recruitment manager, Linda Stokes said: "Apprenticeships are a valuable opportunity to prepare students for a professional career."

For details on Oldham College's range of services for employers, including apprenticeship programmes, staff development, traineeships, recruitment and work placements, call 0161 785 4330 or email apprenticeships@oldham.ac.uk.

* For more about Aspire Group and Oldham College, see the latest quarterly edition of Oldham Business Edge magazine, published by the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

To receive a free print copy, email your name, position and business address to mariawhitehead@oldham-chronicle.co.uk.

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