DIE-CASTING specialists JVM Castings is expanding its apprenticeship scheme to attract more design and engineering students into the industry. The firm from Droitwich Road, Worcester, is keen to create employment opportunities in Worcestershire and pass on skills to a new generation of engineering re-cruits. Joint managing director Robert Murcott explained: “We’re tackling an aging workforce which naturally impacts on skills and emp-loyment across the region, so it’s vital for us and other local manufacturers to take a pro-active approach in inspiring and supporting a new generation of engineers.

We’re constantly investing in the future, not only to ensure we remain at the forefront of our industry but to create opportunities for younger recruits to hone their skills and carve out a long-term career with real prospects.”

Over the past three years the firm has taken on five apprentices through Worcester College of Tech-nology and the Worcester-shire Group Training Association supporting them through in-house training schemes which provide opportunities to work with mentors across each department.

While three of these apprentices are still working towards achieving their qualifications, JVM have taken on two apprentices full-time to work in their New Product Introduction team and Electrical Engineering department.

Dan Smith, a 20-year-old apprentice from Broms-grove, was one of the candidates to be offered a full-time position on completion of his course in design and engineering through the WGTA, and is now working in the firm’s engineering department whilst completing his HNC Diploma.

He said: “It’s been a great opportunity and I enjoy the work and it’s a real boost to be imparting the skills I’m learning onto newer recruits working their way through the scheme.”

Karl Murcott, JVM’s tool-ing director who runs the training scheme, added: “We’re really pleased to be in a position to offer solid opportunities for long-term employment and specialist training as we’ve always felt it’s important to support the next generation of engineers in the West Midlands.”

JVM has sites in Worc-ester and Tamworth and works with clients including Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Ford. It is currently recruiting for its next apprenticeship scheme and looking to take on six new apprentices split across its two factories.