Six Mazak apprentices were shortlisted for a special award
An apprentice from Yamazaki Mazak celebrated success in the first of what the company hopes to be an exciting ‘awards season’ for its current cohort of engineering talent.
Six Mazak apprentices were shortlisted for a special award at the Hereford and Worcestershire Group Training Association (HWGTA) graduation ceremony on 5th November, with fabrication apprentice Charlie Cochrane (17) winning the Engineering Endeavour Award. The accolade recognised his exceptional effort, dedication and perseverance for his first year as an apprentice, with the HWGTA describing him as a ‘pleasure to teach’.
Mazak was also crowned ‘Apprentice Employer of the Year’ at the event, with the judges recognising the company’s dedication to providing apprenticeships for over 24 years, including throughout the challenging pandemic years.
The company’s success at the HWGTA awards is the first in what Mazak hopes to be an exciting few months for its apprentices.
Erin Lowe (19), who is currently working as an electrical apprentice at Mazak’s European Manufacturing Plant in Worcester, has also been nominated for three prizes at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards. They include the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award, the Mary George Memorial Prize and the Women’s Engineering Society Prize, with the winners announced on 9th December at the IET London.
Emelia Hughes (18), who is currently undertaking a mechanical apprenticeship, is among the nominees for Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year at the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards, while Mazak itself has been named as a finalist in the Large Apprentice Provider of the Year category. Organised by Worcestershire County Council and its Local Enterprise Partnership, the ceremony is due to take place on 28th November.
Mazak has now trained more than 250 UK apprentices across a range of disciplines spanning production, service and business administration. Many have chosen to remain with the business to continue their own professional development while also helping to nurture new talent.
Max Jones, people development manager at Yamazaki Mazak, said: “Developing the next generation of engineers is one of our core values at Mazak, and our current crop of talent is among the most gifted we have had the privilege of training. On behalf of everyone at Mazak, I’d like to congratulate Charlie on his success with the HWGTA, and also wish Erin and Emelia the very best of luck. Regardless of the outcome, they are already winners in our eyes.”
A vital part of Mazak’s apprenticeship programme is the outreach, which sees current and past apprentices go out into the community to engage with prospective applicants of all ages, as well as relying on a network of trusted partners.
Mr Jones added: “We are very grateful for all the support we have received, particularly from Worcestershire County Council and its LEP, as well as the HWGTA. We look forward to continuing our shared efforts to develop the next generation of local engineering talent for many years to come.”
The company will also be hosting its second Future Female Engineers event at its European Headquarters in Worcester on 11 December, with further details to be announced shortly.
Click here to read more.
