Latest news from Lattimer

Lattimer recruits new apprentices

Southport’s largest engineering firm Lattimer has expanded its in-house training academy after recruiting three new apprentices.

New starters Jack Eckersley, Leah Sandwell and Harry Purcell will start a four-year training programme this month while studying at Southport College.

Lattimer is a world-leading £10million turnover precision machinist, making more than 20,000 components for the glass container manufacturing sector. It exports 96pc of total sales to all continents.
Lattimer managing director Mark Hailwood said it marks another significant leap forward for the firm’s training academy, initially set up in 2010.

He said the base now trains 16 apprentices with five recently qualified recruits. Around 25pc of Lattimer’s current workforce has come through the internal apprenticeship programme.
Machinists Alan Andrews, John Harris and Phil Dewhurst - with more than 120 years combined engineering experience - are responsible for delivering training.

“In the next year our apprentices will have a thorough introduction to engineering processes both academic and practical,” said Mr Hailwood. “The apprentices will attend four days a week at Southport College and one day a week at Lattimer for practical hands-on training, for a total of 26 weeks. They will be assessed and trained in a multitude of important engineering disciplines including manual milling, centre lathes and grinding. They will gain further knowledge of basic tool making which will include fixture design and manufacturing before being released onto the main workshop. Another key responsibility will involve learning about health and safety which is of paramount importance to our industry.

“Our apprentices will benefit from guidance from our highly experienced training team who worked on equipment ranging from jig boring to CNC machines. An essential aspect of training also involves encouraging apprentices to think for themselves and take professional responsibility. This is an extremely important period in their development where they will gain a solid foundation.”

Jack Eckersley, 19, from Ormskirk, joins Lattimer with previous experience working for a diesel pump refurbishment company in Burscough. “When I was at college I met with Lattimer apprentices who told me about the variety of learning opportunities and different skills they were taught,” he said. “This was reinforced by the lecturers who had also visited Lattimer. When I saw Lattimer was advertising apprentice positions again it seemed like a great opportunity to expand my skill set.”

Motorbike enthusiast Leah Sandwell, 17, from Kew, Southport, left school 12 months ago. “I developed an interest in motorbikes at a young age and I have always had a dream of build one myself,” she said. “Due to that I became interested in manufacturing and maintenance. I am now passionate about proving a career engineering and manufacturing is just as attainable and suitable to women as it is for men. I’m now really excited to learn about many different forms of engineering techniques and to see industry in action.”

Harry Purcell, 16, from Churchtown, Southport, is a school leaver with a passion for engineering. “I have always been keen to follow a vocational path and learn a valuable trade rather than go down a purely academic route,” he said. “I am focussed on achieving my full potential and I believe my combined study at Lattimer and Southport College will give me a strong grounding in engineering.”

This month Lattimer also welcomes back returning apprentice Daniel Raven, from the University of Huddersfield, where he studied Mechanical Engineering. He will take up a position in the ‘Operations’ Department’ supporting and managing the introduction of new products.

Meanwhile, former Lattimer apprentice and HND Engineering student, James Davidson has been enrolled on a leadership and management training course after excelling in his role as Team Leader of MX Section. James recently won the HNC General Engineering award at the NWTC (North West Training Council) 2017 awards after achieving a distinction in his course.

Mr Hailwood said: “Our training academy plays a fundamental role within our business helping source and nurture local engineering talent for the future. Our new intake and continued investment in recently graduated apprentices helps illustrate Lattimer’s ethos for developing talent. We are passionate about unearthing new engineers who will drive our business for future generations. The majority of our workforce have risen through apprenticeships or internal training and we see this as a fundamental part of our business model moving forward.”