Whale Tankers boss advocates apprenticeships

THE boss of a Solihull engineering firm has advocated the importance of apprenticeships and proper training for helping to sustain the future of a business.

And Mark Warmington, managing director of Whale Tankers, should know what he’s talking about…he was a former apprentice himself.

“Developing the potential of young people is very important to us and we take our responsibility of bringing on the next generation of skilled engineers very seriously,” he said.

The company, which manufactures waste and cleaning equipment, is celebrating more than 12 years of its highly successful apprenticeship scheme. The programme has seen 29 young people graduate to full time roles with the firm.

“For our organisation this brings many benefits, in particular we can develop our own people so that not only do they gain engineering skills and expertise that will see them through their working lives, but they also learn about other areas that are important to the business such as sales, purchasing, service and HR,” said Warmington.

“In addition to their formal training, all apprentices spend time working in different departments at Whale so as they develop, they will appreciate the various elements and requirements of a successful global business.”

NSL Automotive right behind Coventry City 

A COVENTRY automotive company has been signed up as the latest commercial sponsor for Coventry City following the football club’s return to the Ricoh Arena.

NSL Automotive, which supplies steering products and brake callipers, is the new sponsor of the home dugout for the remainder of the season.

NSL Automotive has seen strong growth since its formation in August 2013, seeing turnover treble. In a further effort to raise its profile, the company has also taken advantage of the club’s deal to sponsor the Level One hospitality lounge at three matches during the season.

Mick Parsons, who runs the firm and is a lifelong Coventry City fan, has also been named the club’s first Active Ambassador – a scheme devised by chief executive Steve Waggott to work with business people to help Steven Pressley and Neil MacFarlane recruit new players for the development squad.

“I have supported this club all my life and it means a lot to me, so I am delighted to be able to offer my support in any way I can,” said Parsons.

“It will be a real thrill for me to see Steven Pressley and his players, as well as club legend Steve Ogrizovic, right in front of NSL’s branding at every home match.” 

JCB chairman appointed Honorary Fellow of Royal Academy of Engineering 

THE chairman of Staffordshire excavator manufacturer JCB, Lord Bamford, has been awarded the UK engineering industry’s highest honour.

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) has elected Lord Bamford as an Honorary Fellow of the organisation in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the industry.

The honour comes as Lord Bamford celebrates 50 years’ service at JCB and prepares to mark 40 years next year as its chairman.

He said: “To be recognised by the Royal Academy of Engineering is a wonderful tribute to the contribution of the whole JCB team. I am as passionate about British engineering and manufacturing today as I was when I first started in 1964 and I am delighted to have been given the distinction of this Honorary Fellowship.”

Lord Bamford is the only Honorary Fellow elected to the RAE out of a total of 59 new Fellows. The newly elected Fellows join the academy from diverse backgrounds, including leading engineering and manufacturing companies and world-leading academic institutions.