Apprenticeships Week 2008

As part of National Apprenticeships Week, staff at logistics and automotive skills company Manchester Training have singled out nineteen-year old Motor Vehicle Apprentice Liam Hammersley for recognition of his superb achievements.

In 2005 Mr Hammersley began an Apprenticeship with Middleton based Manchester Training, but found a number of obstacles in his way, not least of which was a severe learning difficulty. Along with his employer, Oldham road haulier LTS Ltd and his Training Advisors at Manchester Training, Mr Hammersley made the difficult decision to leave the Apprenticeship programme.

Two years on, more mature and with continued loyal service to LTS under his belt, Mr Hammersley decided he wanted to progress from washing vehicles and returned to the training programme. Since then, he has made incredible progress, achieving all targets in technical tasks amp; key skills (literacy, numeracy amp; IT) and overcoming the learning barriers he had experienced throughout his school years.

Mr Hammersley is well on course to achieve the Level 2 Apprenticeship. It is testimony to Mr Hammersley’s employer, who has shown him unending faith amp; support, but most of all to his own determination and hard work, that he has even overtaken learners who joined the programme in previous intakes.

“Liam is one of two Apprentices we currently have with Manchester Training.” says LTS boss Chris Stanley “I was really pleased when he returned to the course and we are all reaping the benefits. As Liam progresses we are able to trust him with more tasks, making the team more productive. His confidence amp; skills are improving daily and we have saved on recruitment costs now he is working towards his qualifications.”

Steve Aitken, Director of work-based learning at Manchester Training, comments “It is young people like Liam who make what we do worthwhile. Apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative to traditional educational routes and we often find youngsters who struggled at school thrive on the Apprenticeship programmes. Not only is Liam doing himself, his employer and Manchester Training proud, he is also earning a salary and making a valuable contribution to society while he works towards his qualifications.”