BNL to Continue Successful Apprenticeship Program at Knaresborough Factory
September 2012
Following the successful completion of the company’s current apprenticeship program, Knaresborough-based plastic bearing specialist, BNL (UK) Limited, have taken on a new batch of engineering and manufacturing apprentices.
BNL’s current apprenticeship program wrapped up at the end of August, with two apprentices completing their NVQ 3 in Toolmaking and Engineering. The new placements offered this year are a Level 4 Apprenticeship in Design Engineering and a Level 2 & 3 Apprenticeship in Toolroom Engineering.
The Design Engineering placement covers skills such as designing jigs and fixtures, plus creating and maintaining 2D drawings for new products. The Toolroom Engineering placement includes training in toolmaking – in particular CNC, material processing, milling & lathe work. Both include day-release study at a local college.
As a company fixed firmly on growth, the need for innovation supported by a highly skilled workforce is crucial to a successful future and was recently discussed with Andrew Jones MP on a visit to BNL, where he met Tom Peacock, who has just completed his apprenticeship (right).
“Apprenticeship programs give us a way of developing skills for the future,” stated Janicke Aitken, Business Development Director of BNL. “Supported by sound technical training the scheme delivers skills that are vital not only to our business but that of the wider manufacturing industry. We are keen to employ local young people and offer career development opportunities, especially in the current economic climate. BNL is a great employer and can offer an excellent career path to our apprentices as we continue to expand our business. This is a fantastic opportunity for young people interested in a career in engineering and manufacturing.”
The key to a successful apprenticeship at BNL is the mentoring support from experienced engineering and manufacturing managers, plus an emphasis on learning a variety of different skills.
Tim Barrell, one of the Toolmaking & Engineering apprentices at BNL, believes the apprenticeship scheme has provided a solid start to his career: “I started in the Logistics Department at BNL but when the apprenticeship opportunity arose I took it. It has been an invaluable experience with excellent on-the-job training and support from the Tool Room team at BNL. I am keen to build on the knowledge I have gained and would recommend the apprenticeship program to anyone thinking of furthering their education and looking to gain new skills.”
Anyone interested in an apprenticeships at BNL can find more details on the BNL website:
http://www.bnl-bearings.com/careers/Apprenticeships_at_BNL.html
or by contacting us on 01423 799200.
BNL (UK) Ltd
BNL (UK) Ltd specialises in the design and manufacture of specialist plastic bearing solutions. Headquartered in the United Kingdom, BNL has offices in Foxboro, Massachusetts (BNL [USA] Inc.), Tokyo, Japan (BNL [Japan] Inc.), Shanghai, China (Shanghai Plastics Capital Trading Ltd.) and a second manufacturing facility in Rayong, Thailand (BNL [Thailand] Ltd).
For further information contact:
Donna Loughnane
Marketing
BNL (UK) Ltd, Manse Lane, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8LF, UK
T: +44 (0)1423 799208 F: +44 (0)1423 799108 E: donna.l@bnl-bearings.com
www.bnl-bearings.com
