9/3/2011
Apprentice Engineer, Adam Payne, from Barloworld Handling's Cardiff branch, has won the Forklift Truck Association (FLTA) Apprentice of the Year award at its annual awards for excellence.
Materials handling specialists, Barloworld Handling, has run its apprentice engineer scheme for 20 years and it has become one of the most popular of its type in the UK. Barloworld partners with a select number of learning providers across the country including the City of Bristol College to support its 4 year apprentice programme with vocational training leading to an NVQ level 3 or BTEC qualification in forklift engineering. Such is the quality of Barloworld's up-and-coming engineers that City of Bristol College, nominated three of its apprentices for the 2011 FLTA award, and the company was delighted when Adam scooped the top prize.
"We are extremely proud of Adam and it's gratifying to see his efforts being rewarded through the award of this prestigious title" says Phil Bastow, Managing Director of Barloworld Handling. "The FLTA Awards for Excellence represent a major event in the materials handling industry calendar and are extremely competitive, so it's a great accolade for Adam and also an acknowledgement of the quality of Barloworld Handling's Apprentice scheme."
A judging panel, made up of representatives of the FLTA, carried out interviews with all nominees before selecting 20 year old Adam as the Apprentice of the Year. He was presented with the award at the FLTA National Awards ceremony in Birmingham, in February. Also nominated for the award, were Barloworld apprentices, Paul Waddell, from Cumbernauld Branch in Scotland and Craig Boyle from Barloworld DLS Branch in Scotland.
Barloworld Handling has worked in close partnership with City of Bristol College, for several years to develop better teaching methods and enhance learning conditions. A variety of equipment has been donated to the college by Barloworld Handling, which has enabled the apprentices and others to train on up-to-date equipment.
City of Bristol College has also acknowledged the excellence of Barloworld Handling's Apprentice scheme, by awarding the company the ‘Employer of the Year Award'. The award was presented recently to Barloworld Handling National Service Manager, Ian Roberts, and Barloworld Handling Technical Training Team Leader and Apprentice Scheme Manager, Stuart Rimmer, at Bristol City Football Club.
Barloworld Handling continues to invest in its apprentice scheme and take on new recruits despite the downturn in the economy. This investment is a key part of its strategy to ensure customers' receive the highest levels of service and their forklift truck fleets are well supported. The company continues to work closely with City of Bristol College, enabling development of its Apprentice Programme and helping to maintain it as the industry leader.
Since Barloworld Handling's Apprentice Programme was established, 20 years ago, over 200 apprentice engineers have been recruited, and over 80% of them are still working within the business today. Currently Barloworld Handling has 48 apprentices currently in its programme and last year received more than 1,000 applications.
Upon successful completion of the fully funded four year training programme, Barloworld Handling Apprentices achieve NVQ level 3 or BTEC qualifications in Forklift Engineering.
