While MMS Engineering doesn’t like to boast about the quality of the products and services they provide, they have no qualms boasting about the quality of their apprentices.
MMS Engineering Operations Manager Brad Smith contacted @ The Coalface for one reason. He wanted to give a shout out to all the apprentices working for the business.
“We have 18 apprentices currently working here,” said Brad.
“Ranging across all the years from 1st to 4th, they are primarily boilermakers though we do have one heavy diesel fitter.
“I’m so proud of all our apprentices. They are all hard workers and have a fantastic attitude, always eager to learn. I’m also proud of all the staff that we have here that they look up to and learn from.”
MMS Engineering was started in 2011 by brother in-laws Brad Collins and Andrew Goodwin and the company has seen enormous growth since then. Brad came onboard 10 years ago, and he said a great culture was instilled in the business right from the beginning.
“It’s not complicated, we really care about the team here.
“We have high standards and expectations, but we also understand that it’s a two-way street. We must provide the structure and the support. Good equipment and facilities, good leadership, good training. It’s all these things that make a good culture.”
Currently apprentices make up more than 20% of the employees at MMS Engineering. This year saw double the annual intake and while the growth was more than they anticipated Brad said the business saw it as a responsibility.
“With the labour hire shortages everyone is facing, it’s important to look at long term solutions. Grow your own you could say.
“But it’s more than that. It’s the responsibility of businesses to give young people opportunities. To continue producing the tradespeople that we will need into the future.
“I was once given a start as a tradesman and that got me to where I am now. We want to provide those same opportunities. Whether it’s as a trade assistant or as an apprentice, it’s the first step into a successful career.
“Apprentices are the future. Passing down the knowledge and skills to the next generation is something we are very proud of here at MMS Engineering.”
| “I started here in my second year, and it’s given me so much experience. I’ve been supported to grow and provided with lots of opportunities,” said 4th year apprentice Alex McInerney. “I really enjoy the trade and the work. It’s a great place and I plan to stay once I finish my apprenticeship,” said 3rd year apprentice Drewe Gilbert. “I heard it was a good company to work for and I applied here straight out of school. I started work at the beginning of the year and everyone has been great,” said 1st year apprentice Harry O’Hara. |
