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APPRENTICES TO ENGINEER NEW CAREER AT MB FABER

By webmaster

September 2, 2008

APPRENTICES TO ENGINEER NEW CAREER AT MB FABER

Three young school leavers have been given the opportunity to engineer a career in the nuclear industry after securing places on a new training scheme introduced by MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd.

Matthew Fludder, Thomas Bennett and Andrew Baird, who are all 16 and from the Preston area, have joined MB Faber and signed up to the National Skills Academy for Nuclear’s Community Apprenticeship scheme. This scheme is funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and supports employers by providing monies towards the overall costs of employing and training apprentices.

The apprentices will spend the first year of the four-year programme being taught many aspects of engineering including machining, hydraulics and pneumatics, electrical and mechanical maintenance. The remaining three years will be spent at MB Faber’s headquarters in Leyland, Lancashire learning theoretical and practical nuclear engineering design.  On successful completion of all of the course modules they will all become qualified design engineers.  

Established in 1988, MB Faber employs over 100 design engineers at its main offices in Leyland and Frizington, Cumbria and it operates in both the nuclear and aerospace industries.  Specialist services in the nuclear industry include the design of nuclear mechanical handling plant and equipment, and the design and installation of plant control systems.  Aerospace services include the design and supply of wing and engine tooling and of ground support equipment and test rigs.

Derek May, managing director of MB Faber Ltd, said: “I am delighted that an apprenticeship scheme has started again at Faber after a gap of several years.  I believe that is very important that an increased number of young people are attracted into the nuclear engineering industry and that they are given a thorough grounding in the practical aspects of mechanical and electrical design.  


“We start our new programme with three good quality local young. We are very grateful for the support we have received from the National Skills Academy for Nuclear’s Community Apprenticeship Programme.”

Roland Fletcher, Community Apprenticeship Manager for the National Skills Academy for Nuclear, said: “Apprenticeships are one of the key avenues for building and replenishing skills.  We are proud to be involved in helping MB Faber employ apprentices again after a gap of several years.  

“The Community Apprenticeship scheme has been specifically design to help support supply chain companies like MB Faber, who are working in the nuclear sector to take on apprentices for the first time or grow additional apprentice skills for their business. This will enable continued and better resource capability to support the Nuclear Site License companies to achieve their delivery objectives safely to time and cost.”

Dr Ian Hudson, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority’s, Director of Engineering & Technology, added: “The news that MB Faber are using the Community Apprenticeship to open up opportunities for young people is exactly what we had in mind when deciding to fund the scheme. If we are to develop a sustainable, skilled workforce for our industry then we must not only attract young people but also ensure their employers have in place, and access to, high class training schemes.

“That’s what the Community Apprenticeship Scheme can help deliver, and I hope many more employers follow MB Faber’s example and together create a resurgence in the employment of apprentices.”


For further information please visit www.mbaerospace.co.uk and www.mbfaber.co.uk.

The National Skills Academy for Nuclear
The National Skills Academy network will be the new gold standard for industry training, aiming to improve productivity and tackle skills shortages across England. Each National Skills Academy puts employers at the heart of skills training for their sector: they influence the curriculum to ensure it reflects employers’ needs; get involved in the Academy’s management; set standards and influence strategic direction.

National Skills Academies aim to:
•    deliver high quality training for a specific sector
•    provide first-class teaching in a modern learning environment
•    be centres of innovation and creativity in skills development for their sector
•    be flexible, sustaining the closest possible relationships with employers of all sizes
•    build specialist networks with a range of other learning providers, so that new thinking,     new methods and higher standards are shared, to the benefit of learners and employers.

The National Skills Academy network was initiated by the Government to address the need for a world class workforce with better skills than ever before. It is managed by the Learning and Skills Council working in partnership with the Department for Education and Skills, the Sector Skills Development Agency and the Department of Trade and Industry.
For more information see: www.nuclear.nsacademy.co.uk


Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)

The NDA is a non-departmental government body charged with the clean-up and decommissioning of the UK’s existing public sector nuclear legacy. In support of that mission the NDA has a key role to play as the catalyst for the development of sustainable world class nuclear skills by developing excellent, people, skills and facilities operating to the highest quality standards.

For more information see: www.nda.gov.uk

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