MP delighted with firm's apprentice vision

AN ALCESTER manufacturing company has been praised for its vision and foresight.

Nadhim Zahawi MP visited Smith Bros and Webb last month to see at first hand the opportunities being offered to young people.

The Prime Minister’s former apprenticeship advisor heard how the company, which exports all over the world, has launched an apprenticeship scheme alongside its recruitment of experienced engineers.

The expansion comes as the company enjoys a growing order book in the UK from bus and commercial fleet operators, as well as buoyant sales abroad, especially from the Far East, Middle East, India and Australia.

Mr Zahawi was given a tour the factory by chairman Harvey Alexander, director Andy Barracliffe, and marketing manager Simon Tipple.

He said: “It’s great to see innovative businesses offering valuable apprenticeship programmes like this in my constituency, and I look forward to young people seizing this chance to pursue a rewarding career in engineering.

“As a government we continue to remain committed to having 3 million apprenticeships in place by 2020 and to achieve this target it is vital that both corporates and SME’s come forward to support this initiative.”

Andy Barracliffe, Director of Britannia Washing Systems, said: “We see plenty of opportunities for further expansion and in order to secure a pool of suitable skills for the years ahead we are launching an apprenticeship scheme that will open up rewarding careers in engineering to young people.

“We want to grow local talent to protect and preserve the proud culture of innovation and engineering excellence in the Midlands, UK, which Smith Brothers & Webb has been contributing to for the past 70 years.”