Hyfore trains for the future

COVENTRY toolmaker Hyfore has set up an on-going apprenticeship programme to protect its skills base for the future.

The firm, which specialises in hydraulic fixturing and automating manufacturing processes, is concerned about a lack of specialist skills amongst young job-seekers.

Managing director Gary Dickenson argues that young people going into engineering apprenticeships today have a golden opportunity to build successful careers.

He said: “When we looked at the average age of people in our company, and in precision engineering in general, we realised we had to do something to develop the skilled workers of tomorrow. 

“We have a number of people coming up to retirement age and when we looked to find sub-contractors to help us cope with a bulging order book, we realised that there were not many people under 50 in those companies either.

“Anyone going into an apprenticeship now has a real opportunity to fast-track their career. In ten years’ time they will be the managers. That’s a real opportunity and they will be able to command a decent wage too.”

To support its training programme, Hyfore – which employs 24 people – has invested in a dedicated apprentice area on its shop floor, with a new training lathe and milling machine as well as a surface grinder and fitting bench.

One apprentice, 20-year-old Sam Chadwick, is already in training and Hyfore is working with Midland Group Training Services to recruit two more.

The company, which is part of the Engineering Technology Group, has seen its order book treble to around £1m in the past three years. This is mainly down to a resurgent automotive industry – with car makers expanding and commercial vehicle makers retooling to meet tighter diesel emission controls.

Hyfore’s hydraulic fixtures are used for clamping parts such as die-cast cylinder heads, brackets and bearing caps.