100% of KMF's latest cohort of apprentices graduate

Manufacturing Firm KMF has celebrated the graduation of all seven of its advanced year apprentices.

This is a significant achievement for the group and the apprentices as not only did all seven start together in August 2016 but they have all completed a four year advanced apprenticeship together and have been given permanent positions at the KMF Group.Rafay Ali, (22), Oliver Whittaker, (21), Jessica Mitchell, (20), Callum Hughes, (20), Daniel Ellams, (22), Harry Meyrick, (20) and Liam Stubbs, (23), have all graduated and are settling into their careers at KMF.

Both Rafay Ali and Liam Stubbs are furthering their studies and have enrolled onto a Degree Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing at Staffordshire University. There they will be studying one day per week whilst continuing to work for KMF and completion of their five year studies will give them a BEng in Mechanical Engineering.Callum and Daniel are the latest Welders at KMF while Oliver, Jessica and Harry are full time Bending Operatives.

Training and Development Manager at KMF, Jenny Johnston said: "We are so proud of the seven graduates, they've been brilliant additions to the KMF family. In normal circumstances we would have had an awards ceremony to celebrate our fantastic apprentices but the pandemic has forced us to cancel for this year. As all seven are staying with us they will be invited to join us at the graduation ceremony for next year's cohort so they will still get their moment.

"We have an excellent apprenticeship programme which I'm pleased to say hasn't been affected too much by Covid-19. We were able to give the apprentices a full month of training throughout July to complete their final assessments and exams.

"KMF is renowned locally for its apprenticeship programme and has just surpassed its first milestone. 2020 marked the company's 13th year (since starting in 2007) guiding people into their careers and has seen over 100 young men and women come through its doors.

Jenny added: "We have 30 apprentices at KMF at any one time as we truly believe in supporting young people and developing them into future industry leaders."

The graduation falls perfectly with the latest announcement from the group as 12 new apprenticeship placements have been released for its 2021 cohort.

The application process has officially begun to find eight sheet metal fabrication and four machining apprentices for the 2021 cohort.

The group supports young people in developing their careers from their on-site, purpose-built training centre and dedicated training workshop. The students complete both their theory and practical work at the Newcastle-under-Lyme facility. The programme has grown rapidly over the last 13 years with the Group having four full time qualified teachers on-site at the EAL approved training centre.

Providing opportunities is at the forefront of the manufacturer's culture and additionally more people are supported as they go on to higher education at degree level.