UK NEWS

Babcock to create 1000 new jobs

Babcock is creating more than 1000 new jobs at its large-scale, advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding facility in Rosyth. Underpinning its commitment to develop the skills required to support customers now and in the future, the new job opportunities (taking place over the next four years) will benefit both the UK economy and local communities. Included will be 400 apprenticeships, 350 production support operatives, skilled engineers, tradespeople, and graduates.

New recruits will join Babcock’s state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing and digitally enabled facility that in recent decades has seen investment of more than £200m.

Apprentice numbers are also increasing at the company’s operation on the west coast of Scotland, supporting His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde and the UK’s submarine enterprise.

For further information www.babcockinternational.com

Apprenticeship matchmaking tool in Scotland

A new platform designed to simplify recruitment and support job seekers looking for apprenticeships and graduate roles could help to address the challenges of finding talent and encourage more young people into Scotland’s manufacturing and engineering sector. The Manufacturing Skills Academy at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) is working with Skills Development Scotland to explore the feasibility of a ‘Pre-Approved Talent’ scheme – based on similar principles to a university clearing system – to streamline recruitment processes.

For further information www.nmis.scot

Find, specify and purchase new equipment

MACH 2024 (NEC, Birmingham, 15-19 April) is where production engineers, decision makers and buyers go to find, specify and purchase new machine tools and other manufacturing technologies. This year, the show pledges to be the destination of choice for companies looking to adopt and invest in the digital revolution.

MACH showcases live, digital production systems under one roof, providing a venue where visitors and exhibitors can discuss and complete hundreds of millions of pounds worth of business. Attracting 26,000 visitors and over 600 exhibitors, please see MTI’s MACH exhibition preview further on in this issue. It outlines some of the key technologies to look out for at this year’s event. Further technologies will feature in MTI’s MACH show issue on 8 April.

For further information www.machexhibition.com

A&M EDM secures over £600,000 in grants

Between 2014 and 2022, Smethwick-based A&M EDM, a supplier of precision engineering services, has revealed that it received grants totalling £607,000 from a variety of providers. This funding helped support activities such as investment in machinery, innovation projects and digital marketing, as well as invaluable tailored support from the region’s accredited business advisers.

“My ambition from the outset was to become a sustainable subcontractor offering EDM manufacturing,” says founder Mark Wingfield. “The reduction of the Midlands toolmaking and automotive industries created opportunities to grow the business in other sectors such as aerospace. The advice I’d give to anyone starting today is to add value to every customer and continuously reinvest in equipment and employee training.”

From humble beginnings in 2002 with two employees and one machine, fast-forward to 2024 and A&M EDM has 84 employees, 80 machines and an annual turnover over £8m. The company is an award-winning business and the current Make UK Midlands and East region SME of the year.

By being open-minded to the support on offer from external organisations such as Business Growth West Midlands, Wingfield ensures the business accesses opportunities which serve the values of the company. Among those values is training the next generation of engineers. A&M EDM currently has five apprentices, and nine other employees who have advanced from apprentice level, including two section managers.


Working with Dudley College, the company has delivered an Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship since 2014, focusing on both the technical aspects of the job and soft skills. Apprentices continue to be an integral part of the team and future planning of the company, with a focus on retaining these skilled workers through their careers.

For further information www.amedm.co.uk

Two new apprentices at electrode specialist

Erodex Group, a UK expert in designing and manufacturing graphite electrodes, tooling and fixtures, has recently on-boarded two promising apprentices: Jack Needs and Kane Howl. These young talents joined the company’s cutting-edge graphite machining facility in Wednesbury, West Midlands. Needs is embarking on his apprenticeship journey as a CNC machinist, while Howl has joined the team as an apprentice grinder.

Erodex’s state-of-the-art machining facility boasts over 35 years of expertise, making it well-equipped to transform various graphite grades into intricate components serving a diverse range of industries. Both apprentices are committed to a comprehensive learning plan, combining on-the-job training at Erodex’s machining facility with structured off-site learning at Make UK Apprenticeships and Training in Aston, Birmingham.

Director James Kirk is proud that Erodex provides young, talented individuals with a launch pad for their engineering careers. He emphasises the importance of nurturing the next generation of skilled professionals, especially given the high precision and demanding nature of Erodex’s engineering work.

“As with most engineering firms across the country, we see a shortage of skilled, time-served individuals that fit our profile,” he says. “We therefore accept that it’s our responsibility to develop our own talent. We commit a significant amount of time to training our apprentices on the job and look forward to seeing them progress within the company.”

He add: “There’ll be opportunities for these individuals to grow within the business moving forward as we’ll help them to develop the required skills. Everybody at the Erodex Group wishes them the best moving forward.”

For further information www.erodex.com