The Erodex Group, renowned leaders in the UK’s design and manufacture of graphite electrodes, tooling, and fixtures, has recently welcomed two new apprentices to their graphite machining facility in Wednesbury.
With over 35 years of experience, the company’s cutting-edge machining facility has enabled them to craft complex components from various graphite grades, serving diverse industries.
Jack Needs has joined the team as an apprentice CNC machinist, while Kane Howl comes on board as an apprentice grinder. Both apprentices are embarking on a comprehensive learning journey that encompasses hands-on experience within the Erodex machining facility and off-site training at Make UK Apprenticeships and Training in Aston, Birmingham.
Director James Kirk expressed pride in providing these young talents with a strong start to their engineering careers, emphasizing the company’s commitment to nurturing the workforce of the future. Erodex acknowledges the shortage of skilled, time-served individuals in engineering and views it as their responsibility to develop their talent.
Kirk noted the highly skilled nature of their engineering work, which involves working to precise tolerances. He anticipates opportunities for both apprentices to grow within the company as they develop the required skills, wishing them success in their careers.
The relaunch of the Apprenticeship Scheme in January 2023 has seen Erodex collaborating with Next Gen Makers, an external consultancy, to ensure that their apprenticeship program remains at the forefront of best practices.
Erodex is dedicated to providing an outstanding experience for their apprentices and is actively seeking accreditation for the Make UK Engineering Apprenticeships: Employer Kitemark through Next Gen Makers, recognizing excellent employers of engineering apprentices in the UK.
As part of their ongoing skills succession planning, the company is taking an innovative approach to attract the next generation to their apprenticeship opportunities, including virtual reality outreach sessions for students in local colleges.
In the coming years, the Erodex Group intends to offer apprenticeships starting at level 3 across various disciplines, including engineering technicians, along with opportunities in other departments across the business.
The Erodex machining facility plays a pivotal role in the significant growth experienced by the Erodex Group in recent years, with over £2 million allocated for planned investments in new machinery as part of their continuous improvement program.
Established in 1973, the Erodex Group recently celebrated its fifty-year milestone in business. The company employs 90 individuals across two West Midlands sites, with headquarters located in Halesowen, in addition to the machining facility based in Wednesbury.