UK firm showcases benefits of career in manufacturing

PP Control & Automation recently hosted its first ever Career Open Day, which saw school leavers, people looking to change professions and those seeking to return to a career in manufacturing take a tour of the firm’s cutting-edge 40,000 sqft facility.

The control system supplier has recently completed a £1m extension as part of ambitious expansion plans that will see it grow from £20m to £40m by 2020.

Attendees had the chance to  speak with current employees and an overview of current vacancies.

Twenty-five young people attended – 80% under the age of 25 years-old – were introduced to the company by local training providers, colleges and schools, with all of those attending subsequently applying for one of the firm’s traineeship or apprenticeship roles.

Philip Newell, training and continuous improvement manager at PP Control & Automation, explained : “The last 12 months have been very good for our business and we have won a lot of new outsourcing contracts both at home and abroad.

“In order to cope with this increase in demand, we need to boost the workforce and are looking to create up to 30 new jobs and these range from apprentices and shop floor technicians, to logistics specialists and project managers.”

He continued: “Getting the right skills is important, so we want to make sure everyone knows what type of company we are building here at PP, a company that currently supplies 12 of the world’s largest machine builders. Opening our doors and letting them see the technology we use and the processes we employ was a great way of getting people to consider a career with us.”

Newell concluded: “Opening up the factory gives the applicants a chance to see if we are the right company for them and to get them excited. It worked perfectly and we’ll look to plan further Open Days in 2018, not to mention the launch of a prospectus-style magazine in January to showcase opportunities we have.”

“We currently have three vacancies for apprenticeships in September and to see so many young people applying is great for the company and the local area. Supporting these young adults through their education is a service we are proud to provide.”