A textile company is on track to recruit more apprentices.
Camira Fabrics, which has premises at Meltham Mills and Mirfield, has been providing work experience for students from a number of local schools through the Entice Project.
Now Camira is set to take on apprentices from Entice for the second year running using a tried and tested filtering process, which offers a build-up of exposure of students to the work environment through taster sessions and work experience – allowing students and employer to get to know each other before any apprenticeships are filled.
The aim is to minimise any drop out and has been described as a “try before you buy” process for both parties.
Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney attended one of the sessions and spoke to all the students working across several different departments at Camira.
He said: “One of my main focuses is local jobs and apprenticeships.
“People say that we don’t manufacture anything in Britain any more, but right here in my constituency is an international company doing just that and addressing their succession planning by implementing a locally devised apprenticeship programme.”
Mr McCartney said that 52% of the workforce in textiles are aged 45 and over – meaning it is vitally important to introduce apprentices to the industry.
Alan Williams, operations director of Camira Fabrics, said: “We’ve been delighted with the apprentices recruited through Entice last year and are keen to replicate this success.
“Our two ex-Shelley College students have been greeted with great enthusiasm throughout our workforce, as Entice provided us with absolutely the right candidates. Everyone is on board.”
Martin Jenkins, of the Huddersfield-based Textile Centre of Excellence, also attended to see the potential new recruits in action.
The centre provides accredited training for apprentices across all areas of textiles.
The centre works with Entice on the Camira programme and has also partnering with Entice on a wider remit.
Karen Fox, managing director of Entice, said the aim was to address three main issues – promoting apprenticeships as an equally viable career path when all the focus has been on post-16 students to go into further and higher education; simplifying the application process; and providing clear signposting.
She said: “At Entice, we’re clear.
“We keep it simple. Employers have apprenticeship vacancies – we have access to a recruitment pool of thousands through our direct links with schools.
“We bring both parties together.
“Job done!”
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