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Alpha Apprentices on the Road for 2020 Recruitment Drive

Current apprentices from Alpha Manufacturing and Bri-Stor Systems have begun the process of recruiting the next generation of young engineers to join the apprenticeship in 2020.

The 1^st year apprentices will be accompanying apprenticeship manager Will Davies Hill as he visits various local schools to introduce them to the Bri-Stor Group. Presenting to year 11 students, they will discuss their experiences during their first year, covering training, projects, events and their studies so far.

This gives students who may currently be considering their post-high school options a unique insight into life at Alpha from an apprentice’s perspective. It also clearly shows the path for career progression with examples of past apprentices who now have important full-time roles within the business.

Over the next few months, Will and his young colleagues will visit as many of the local schools as possible, encouraging students to visit the annual apprentice open evening in February and to apply once applications open in the new year.

Bri-Stor Group Future Apprentices on Site for Induction Day

The next intake of Bri-Stor Group Apprentices were on site last week to complete their induction day ahead of their official commencement of studies in September.

The young engineers spent the day familiarising themselves with the Bri-Stor and Alpha facilities and apprenticeship programme in general. Having received their PPE and work equipment, they were given a full guided tour of the site by group apprenticeship manager Will Davies-Hill.

They were also given their induction packs and a breakdown of all the upcoming events and activities that they can expect in their first year, including a week long team building trip to Elan Valley in Wales, as well as the annual Soapbox derby project and other charity events.

The group now have a few weeks to prepare for the beginning of their course, before the official start date of 2^nd September.

Apprentices Take 1st Place in the Stone Soapbox Derby

Congratulations to the Bri-Stor Group first year apprentices on finishing 1^st in the junior category of the recent Stone festival Soapbox Derby.

For the third consecutive year, apprentices from both Alpha Manufacturing and Bri-Stor Systems competed in the local event, having designed and built their own racers. Two teams competed in the race but for the first time, teams were mixed from the two sister companies.

On a rainy day in nearby Stone town centre, a timber pirate ship and Only Fools and Horses inspired Robin Reliant lined up at the start line. Although both finished the course in good times, it was the bright yellow Trotters Trading racer that took first place with the fastest downhill time and even managed to catch some serious air over the ramp obstacle.

The Stone Festival and Soapbox Derby have become an important part of our apprenticeship first year program, with the young engineers working in teams to design, build and test their racers. With the entire Alpha and Bri-Stor manufacturing facilities at their disposal, they’re able to test their engineering skills and gain a solid understanding of various manufacturing processes.

Congratulations to both teams on their Soapbox racers and thanks to all involved in organising the Stone Festival.

Bri-Stor Group Apprenticeship Open Evening a Resounding Success

The annual Bri-Stor Group apprenticeship open evening was held at the Group’s Hixon facilities this week and once again, was exceptionally well attended.

Around 30 potential future engineers, plus their parents came along the evening and were treated to a guided tour of the entire site including Bri-Stor Systems LCV conversion facility, Hex Signs & Graphics, Atlas Powder Coating and Alpha Manufacturing’s precision sheet metal fabrication factory.

In addition, this year’s tour included the brand-new Alpha Manufacturing offices and welfare facility which was recently completed as well a dedicated apprenticeship training facility built for next year’s apprenticeship intake.

Also on show during the evening were many of the products of apprentice team projects, such as the Soapbox Derby racers and the stunning Caterham Seven 360R, built by last years apprentices.

A mixture of Bri-Stor and Alpha engineers, current and former apprentices and Group Directors were on hand to give guided tours and answer any questions from students and parents. As usual, there were plenty of questions from engaged visitors as they were impressed by the manufacturing and engineering capabilities on site.

Many of the young visitors had already applied for either the Electro-Mechanical NVQ with Bri-Stor or Alpha’s Engineering & Manufacturing NVQ, with further applications received since the open evening.

Will Davies-Hill is Group Apprentice Manager and was delighted by the turn out:

“It was another hugely successful evening with great attendance and interest shown by those who came. The groups seemed really enthused and excited by the facilities and the course in general. For me, the most rewarding part of these evenings is to hear our current apprentices speaking really positively about their experiences and selling the programme to visitors”

Applications for both apprenticeships will remain open until 28^th February, with interviews beginning in early March. Successful candidates will then begin their studies in September 2019.

To Apply:

Simply visit our apprenticeships page and complete a short form to register.