Engineering group KMF has launched a search for 16 new apprentices after crowning its 2021 Apprentice of the Year.
The Newcastle-under-Lyme-based business runs its Apprentice Awards every year to celebrate the best of its young engineers.
And the 2021 ceremony, which recently took place at KMF's head office on High Car Business Park, saw awards handed out to six individual winners.
Now the company is on the look out for its next cohort of trainees as National Apprenticeship Week gets underway this week.
READ MORE: New jobs on the way as TMT First eyes further growth
Jenny Johnston, KMF's people and culture manager, said: "We currently have 30 apprentices at KMF and any one of them would be worthy winners. They're all hard working, dedicated young people who show great commitment to KMF.
"The six winners were chosen because they go above and beyond. They work incredibly hard and continue to stand out for all the right reasons.
"We're really proud of our apprentices and we can’t wait to start the process of recruiting so we can meet the next cohort to follow in some fantastic footsteps."
The Apprentice of the Year title was awarded to Level 3 apprentice Josh Clewlow.
The 20-year-old said: "I didn't think I'd win it but it's great to have been chosen to receive it."
He added: "It's a great apprenticeship. It challenges you and helps you to learn and grow. I enjoy working with the other apprentices, we all have similar hobbies and interests.
"I hope to stay on at KMF after my apprenticeship and want to progress to management eventually.
"KMF is good at supporting progression so I'm sure it's achievable. I'm looking forward to finishing my apprenticeship so I can start to progress."
Other awards handed out on the night included The John Booth Academy Achievement Award – which was created in honour of ex-employee John Booth, who passed away suddenly in February 2021.
This award went to 20-year-old Ryan Hewitt, who is also a Level 3 apprentice.
Elsewhere, 22-year-old Matt Sanderson won both the Time Keeping and Attendance Award and the Most Valuable Team Member Award, as voted for by his peers.
While three apprentices – 17-year-old Kyle Marshall, Dan Barlow, aged 19, and 21-year-old Ewan Spooner – received a Team Leader Choice Award as voted for by the KMF production team.
Applications are now open for KMF's 2022 cohort. The company is looking for 16 sheet metal fabrication apprentices who will work on-site, at KMF's purpose-built training centre.
Visit the website for more information.
