KMF graduate apprenticeship scheme lands Liam Stubbs a permanent job.
Recently graduated Four Year Advanced Apprentice, Liam Stubbs has secured a full time job with us as a Welder in the Stainless Steel Special Products Unit and has enrolled onto our Degree Apprenticeship programme.
When Liam joined us in 2016, he had completed his A-Levels at Biddulph High School Sixth Form and had been accepted into his first-choice university – Keele – to study Software Engineering. However, after hearing about the KMF Apprenticeship Programme from a friend who'd applied, it sounded like the perfect route for him.
Four years on, Liam has a stable, full time position and is very pleased with his decision.
He said: "I applied to KMF, was shown around the factory and told all about the apprenticeship. It seemed really good and I went from there.
"The apprenticeship is great because you work across the company for three years and then the fourth year, you move into your specialism. I'd heard from friends doing apprenticeships elsewhere that they were given a job to do and had to get on with it, whereas with KMF you are offered a full, well-rounded experience.
"The KMF apprenticeship is a great stepping-stone for your future career. It teaches you all the fundamentals and morals you need whether that's for KMF or elsewhere."
Liam is now a Welder in the Stainless Steel Special Products Unit. The KMF team identified his skills in that department and so he followed that route. He's pleased to be a part of the special products team and added: "It's great, no day is the same. It's highly specialised because all of the work is on x-ray cases so can't be contaminated with other materials. The weld has to be top spec as it's quite thick material, there can't be cracks and splits. It's interesting and we work on different projects every day."
Liam is also given additional responsibilities when a project is more unusual. He said: "If a prototype comes in which you've not seen before, you're then trusted to solve and assemble it."
With an ICT A-Level and Advanced Diploma in BTECH Science, Liam has a thirst for knowledge and so the opportunity to continue with a Degree Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering with Staffordshire University was a chance he wasn't willing to pass up.
He added: "I want to progress to project management or some kind of managerial position. I love getting involved with the projects and dealing with people.
"I'd considered university before, but I didn't want the debt. What's great about KMF is it's work based learning. Learning whilst earning is a big bonus for me, and I still also get a degree."
Working at KMF is nothing but a positive daily experience for Liam who not only has a great relationship with his colleagues but loves the corporate responsibility opportunities he is able to get involved in.
Liam commented: "The people at KMF are all nice and friendly, it's a great environment to be in every day.
"From the day I joined as an apprentice, I have been involved in the work KMF does with schools. I have supported the Young Engineer of the Year competition and worked with the kids on the Lego, Robots and Cars based activities.
"I'm also a STEM Ambassador, so in the school holidays we work with the more vulnerable children. The less fortunate families are able to send their child to school for a meal and we run activities with them. It's a great initiative to be a part of."
The 2021 KMF apprenticeship vacancies have now been released. To follow in Liam's impressive footsteps, apply for one of 12 positions before applications close on 2 April 2021.