CASE STUDIES
MATTHEW MALONEY
Partnership for Learning celebrates Apprentices of the Year 2005
Matthew Maloney, a fabricator and welder at F&G Stainless of Huyton, has been named as Apprentice of the Year by one of the country’s fastest growing training providers, South Merseyside-based Partnership for Learning (PfL).
Eighteen-year-old Matthew was one of 10 award winners, nominated by their employers for an award by PfL, which runs engineering apprentice schemes with major local companies including Jaguar Cars, Getrag Ford, F&G Stainless, Tracoinsa Systems UK, Brit-Tipp, Sonae UK and Rolls Royce.
The winners received their awards from Bernard Capaldi, Director of SEMTA (Science Engineering Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) and Ann Watson, Managing Director of EMTA Awards Ltd (EAL) on Thursday 20th October at a ceremony held at PfL’s training facility on South Road, Halewood.
Rob Foulkes, Managing Director of F&G Stainless nominated Matthew, who is in the second year of his apprenticeship. He said: “Matthew’s potential was evident right from day one. It is unusual to see an apprentice with his welding skills so early on. He has worked very hard and I am sure he will be an asset to the company in the future.”
Matthew said: “It was a fantastic surprise to get this award. I am really enjoying my apprenticeship with PfL, they have helped and supported me every step of the way so far. I had no idea I would win but I am made up that I have.”
The evening was also an opportunity to celebrate the completion of another 12 apprenticeships, further endorsing PfL as a training provider with some of the best retention figures in the UK.
In 2004 PfL was rated one of the top training providers in the country by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). David Sherlock the ALI’s Chief Inspector, said: “The standard of their work is very high and they put their learners at the heart of everything they do.”
Gordon Burns, Chief Executive of PfL said: “PfL’s highly successful apprentice programme has expanded in 2005 helping to address the local shortage of skills in areas such as electrical and mechanical engineering, fabrication and welding. PfL has one of the highest achievement rates in the country, with over 90% of our apprentices successfully passing through the programme. As a result we took on 60 new recruits during the year, bringing the total number of people on the current programme to 120.”