Nexperia UK Stockport Recognise Apprentice Achievements

Nexperia UK Stockport, part of a global company specialising in semiconductor components for the automotive industry, has celebrated the achievements of apprentices who have completed their training programmes with the company.

Ten young people who joined the company last year under the new training programme also graduated at the event – marking the start of their full-time employment with the company.

They were joined by members of the Senior Management Team and Strategic Operations Group, who have been committed to working with Apprentices and existing workforce, to develop and initiate programmes to upskill in areas such as Team Leading, Business Improvement and Performing Manufacturing Operations under the apprenticeship programme.

They were also joined by some of the current staff who have upskilled in areas such as Team Leading, Business Improvement and Engineering Maintenance under the apprenticeship programme.

Nexperia UK Ltd launched the company’s skills academy last year at a dedicated training facility on Pepper Road in Hazel Grove which includes purpose-built classroom space and product related practical training workshops.

The company working in partnership with leading workforce development and lean implementation specialists Sigma UK Ltd and apprentice recruitment and training provider DCG to create job opportunities for young people in the local area and develop its existing 630-strong workforce.

Nexperia is continuing the programme with a further cohort of 21 apprentices due to start at the company this summer.

The dual approach enables new apprentices to join the company which then allows core workers to be released off the job to develop additional skills.

As each apprentice completes the initial Academy training period, they are placed with an experienced Nexperia Mentor who will guide and educate to provide apprentice with further development and competency on role.

A further Academy training period is then undertaken, to review knowledge and complete technical knowledge criteria.

Once competent in the role, the existing employee starts their own six-week re-training programme before returning to their role and progressing the apprentice to move to the next job – creating capacity for further colleagues to take up the training opportunities.

Nexperia Site Manager Jeremy Morris presented certificates and awards to the apprentices alongside Fabrications Manager Sue Wood.

Jeremy explained:

“We are delighted with the overall success of the Nexperia Skills Academy and the achievements of individuals who have embraced the training opportunities that this provides.

“The Nexperia Skills Academy is a crucial investment in our people, the company’s future and in our local community.

“As well as developing the core skills of our existing workforce, recruiting more young people will be vital to develop a new generation of talent with an aspiration to work in our industry.

“As manufacturing in the UK is growing at a rapidly increasing rate, there is a widening skills gap within the sector which must be addressed.

“We thoroughly believe that, as a business, we have a responsibility to the local community to provide these job opportunities.

“Apprenticeship recruitment will be integral to the new Nexperia Academy.  As they are recruited and trained over the year, the additional capacity will give us the opportunity to free current staff to retrain.

“This makes good business sense. Customers are keen to work with suppliers who are demonstrating that they are developing their workforce and are not standing still.

“Employee development and engagement is therefore key to the future of customer quality and delivery.”

Sigma ensure the employer and the apprentice are matched effectively to bridge any skills gaps – based on the plant’ operational requirements and ensure that bespoke, commodity relevant workforce training elements of the Academy are embedded in the core of the programme.

Sigma Managing Director Brendan Hand continued:

“Nexperia are already outstanding, high quality manufacturers of world class products and this on-going skills initiative will ensure they transfer knowledge, develop a true talent pipeline whilst increase productivity and efficiency by getting the entire business to deliver new results.

“This is a forward thinking company and have a clear vision of what they need to be competitive in the market and I know this will be an outstanding success for everyone involved.”  

DCG Deputy Principal April Hayhurst concluded:

“This is about creating a pipeline of talent for the future of Nexperia.

“The company is utilising its Apprenticeship Levy in the best possible way by combining skills training for existing staff with the recruitment and training of young people under apprenticeship programmes.

“It is therefore an innovative way of bringing new talent into the business whilst developing the skills and competencies of the existing workforce to meet the technical needs of the company.”

Details of apprenticeship vacancies at Nexperia are available online at www.nexperia.com/manchesterapprenticeships