Formula's first apprentice gets back to work

As the UK celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2016, a North East plastic injection moulding company is preparing to welcome its first apprentice back to work after six months at college. 

Simon Hocking was working as a production shift operator at Newton Aycliffe based Formula Plastics when he applied for an advanced apprenticeship with the company in 2015. He was successful at interview, beating a strong field of candidates, and has spent the last six months undertaking his initial period of training with engineering training provider, South West Durham Training.

Simon is now getting ready to return to work at Formula Plastics, where he will have a number of new challenges ahead. Among the project areas he will be working on will be automation of production, tooling and preventative maintenance.

He said: “I've enjoyed my initial training over the past 6 months at South West Durham Training. I'm looking forward to the next stage of training and getting to learn hands on what my job role will become within Formula Plastics, I'm excited to see what opportunities await me as I grow with the business.”

The management team at Formula Plastics are looking forward to welcoming Simon back to work. Managing director, James Goodliffe, said: “Simon has excelled at college, gaining high grades and we have some interesting projects for him to start working on.

“His ongoing training programme will also involve visiting our tool makers in China and learning 3D CAD. Taking on our first apprentice is proving to be the right choice towards ensuring we have the necessary skills in house to continuously grow the business, and further demonstrates our commitment to continuous development of all staff.”

At the end of the three and a half year training period, Simon will qualify with an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Technical Support.

National Apprenticeship Week runs from 14 to 18 March 2016.