Last updated 17:24, Wednesday, 24 September 2008

APPRENTICE AT WORK: Kimberly- Clark’s new apprentice (left) Matt Drury JON GRANGER REF: 0449275

THIS year 180 people applied for just six advanced apprenticeship places at a Barrow paper mill.
There was a tough selection process to join Kimberly-Clark’s popular training programme.
Applicants were selected to complete aptitude tests, interviews, and an assessment day with team building tasks before finally choosing three mechanical engineers and three electrical engineers.
Learning met the new recruits who started work at the Park Road site in September.
The mechanical engineering trainees are 16-year-olds Scott Duignan, a former Walney School pupil; Ross Wadsworth, an ex-Parkview School pupil; and Grant Johnson, a former St Bernard’s Catholic High School pupil.
The electrical engineering trainees are Matt Drury, 17, and Dan Sayle,18, who are both former Barrow Sixth Form College students, and Brian Elder, 16, an ex St Bernard's pupil.
Kimberly-Clark manufactures products such as Andrex toilet rolls and Kleenex tissues.
The apprentices will train to be able to maintain and repair the firm’s machinery and use digital computer systems.
The four-year programme includes training at the Barrow site’s learning centre and workshops.
The apprentices work towards an NQV Level 3 qualification in their discipline and a Kimberly-Clark apprenticeship certificate.
They also study for an HNC at Furness College for one day and two evenings a week.
On site they will work with trainers and they also receive mentoring from senior engineers.
Asked how he felt about gaining his apprenticeship place, Scott said: "It was quite a sense of achievement because there were so many people who applied so I obviously did well to get in.
“I've always been interested in engineering and I thought Kimberly-Clark was the best place to start.
“All the apprentices are getting on and working as a team.
"I'm looking forward to improving my practical skills in the workshop."
Grant said: "I'm overwhelmed really. It was hard to get a place and that makes it feel an even bigger achievement.
"I'm also looking forward to developing my practical skills.”
Bob McClean, the site engineering leader, who is responsible for the apprenticeship training, said: "We are looking for a range of things, not just academic ability, but also commitment and the desire to be an engineer.
“And we look for people who want to work at Kimberly-Clark in a manufacturing environment where you have to work as a team.
Mr McClean started his industry training as an apprentice draughtsman at the shipyard.
He has been at Kimberly-Clark for 30 years and has been involved in the company’s apprentice training for 15 years.
Mr McClean said the vast majority of Kimberly-Clark’s former apprentices are still with the company.
He said:"I think this is an extremely good apprenticeship programme.
"We believe it is a very comprehensive programme which is varied, but focused on work at the mill.
“They have a very good experience. It’s financially rewarding as well. They get a very competitive rate.”