KMF annual apprentice awards

KMF held its 5th annual apprentice awards ceremony at the BET365 stadium in Stoke-on-Trent, bringing together KMF apprentices, parents, staff and other stakeholders to acknowledge the fantastic achievements of KMF apprentices.

The evening began with a presentation from KMF managing director, Gareth Higgins, who outlined the vast number of activities that apprentices have been involved with such as careers fairs, charity projects, BCB Festival and The Sentinel Big Read Project to name a few.

Guests enjoyed an update on the KMF Spitfire Project and a recent team-building trip to the Pyrenees.

The ceremony also marked a milestone for KMF training, with the presentation of the first-ever Adult Apprenticeship certificates. The adult apprenticeship offers current employees the opportunity to gain qualifications alongside their full-time employment, which not only benefits them in their current role but also helps them to progress within the organisation.

The last award of the evening, the Apprentice of the Year Award, was presented by KMF Founder Michael Higgins to Tom French. Tom was recognised for his reliability, hard work, his willingness to take part in extracurricular activities and to go the extra mile for the community – Tom has not had a single day of absence in four years!

Recently graduated Metal Fabrication & Welding Apprentice Tom French commented: "I feel very proud to be awarded the 2017 Apprentice of the Year. My apprenticeship has allowed me to gain qualifications while earning and I have recently begun a degree-level apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering – for which my employer pays. KMF has provided me with every opportunity to progress and better myself as a person. I know I have a job for life at KMF."

Awards and Winners included:

-Community Champion Award: Thomas French

-Intermediate, Advanced and Adult Certificates

• Time Keeping & Attendance Award (Individual): Daniel Ellams & Tom French

• Time Keeping & Attendance Award (Group): Jordan Bentley, Ashley Degg, Thomas French & Chloe Quaile – For the second year running!

• Team Leader Choice Award: Harry Meyrick (1st Year), Daniel Bradbury (2nd Year), Matthew Welsh (3rd Year) and Ashley Degg (4th Year)

• Apprentice of the Year: Tom French

KMF recently invested over 100K into new on-site training facilities and teaching staff at KMF Precision Engineering, recruiting five new machining apprentices. This investment will allow KMF to reap the benefits of apprenticeships across The KMF Group and will help secure the skills needed to meet its growth ambitions.