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TRENDS AND TIDBITS continued from page 49 Eight New Faces At Komatsu UK Despite the current economic climate, Komatsu UK Ltd, part of the global Komatsu organization, has further invested in engineering up-skilling by recruiting eight new engineering apprentices at its manufacturing site in Birtley. After completing the first year of their training at college, Liam Cooper, Reece Shotton and Lee Heron of South Shields, Jordan Warbrick, Kieran Reddel and Aaron Kirkbride of Washington, Ethan Iveson from Gateshead and Josh Kelly from Sunderland are now in situ gaining firsthand experience of live manufacturing. Not content with working hard for his apprenticeship, young boxer Josh Kelly has also been selected to train with Team GB at Light Welterweight Level. Komatsu has said it will support Josh in his ambition to compete for Great Britain by allowing him time off to train and, if necessary, extending his apprenticeship. Josh currently holds the title of Senior ABA Light Welterweight Champion and last year won a Bronze medal at the World Championships, which took place in Armenia. Komatsu's excellent apprenticeship programme has been running for 25 years, and this year's intake increases the number currently in training to an impressive figure of 22. As a world-leading manufacturing firm, Komatsu's successful and thriving apprentice scheme ensures that the company maintains a highly-skilled work force. Komatsu invests heavily in training and, over the years, has trained a total of some 178 apprentices at its Birtley site. This investment clearly demonstrates a belief in the importance of hands-on training, as well as a huge commitment to the local community, by providing essential career and development opportunities for young people in the northeast. Tracey Wilson, Komatsu's senior manager for human resources and corporate affairs, said: "It is well known that the current economic climate has hindered young workers from gaining the necessary experience in trades in manufacturing. However, by maintaining a steady intake of apprentices, Komatsu is making an ongoing contribution to retaining important industry skills, which supports both the regional manufacturing sector and the local economy. Currently, seven percent of our workforce is apprentices. Many of those will remain with the company after their training and go on to develop careers the same way a number of staff have before them." ● http://tyneandwear.sky.com, May 2013 Trends continued on page 61 A diesel engine goes down. Work Stops. But not for long. For 60 years, we've manufactured high-quality replacement parts for major US engines and heavy-duty applications. Quick order response gets you up and working fast. Call us. 1-800-321-4234. ©2012 Interstate-McBee IDA UNIVERSAL July-August 2013 55