Citation
(2014), "Employees power ahead with Hoppecke Industrial Batteries", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 46 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ICT.03746baa.009
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Employees power ahead with Hoppecke Industrial Batteries
Article Type: Notes and news From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 46, Issue 2
Hoppecke Industrial Batteries has taken on the first two employees through its new apprenticeship program. The scheme is designed to bring young people into the motive and rail-battery manufacturing and servicing industry and give them a rewarding career.
Colin Williams, aged 28, was a battery-builder working in the warehouse. To enable him to go further in his career Hoppecke gave him an apprenticeship in battery engineering, working with a mentor, service manager Tony Robinshaw. The plan is for Colin Williams to become an on-the-road service engineer repairing batteries and forklift chargers on site. The career path could lead to him ultimately becoming a service manager.
“The job I am doing now is more technical than being a battery-fitter and it is something I have wanted to do since I started working here. But I was keen to start off from the beginning, work my way up and understand how it all works, Colin Williams explained.
Rachel Farr, aged 19, has joined Hoppecke as a purchase-ledger trainee straight from college. “It was a great opportunity so I was delighted when I got on the scheme, she said, adding: “It is good; I am really enjoying it.
Hoppecke believes that practical training is the most important component of an apprenticeship and theoretical training deepens and anchors the knowledge gained from on-the-job training. A mentor is also a key factor in the scheme, giving apprentices guidance and following their progress.
The Hoppecke Industrial Batteries UK sales and operations director, David Millett, said: “The logistics sector affects everybodys lives – what they eat, what they wear, transport systems – but it does not get the attention that, say, manufacturing industry receives. We really need to see a much stronger emphasis on apprenticeships in logistics.
“That is why we believe in giving our young people the best possible support to enable them to reach their full potential. Colin and Rachel are just two examples and we aim to bring on many more apprentices throughout the years ahead.