The Manufacturing Technology Centre has launched a new partnership with youth achievement award charity The Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE) and received their licence certificate at a recent Gold Award Presentation in St James’s Palace. The link-up means MTC apprentices will be offered the chance to take part in the DofE.
The partnership will see 16 to 23 year-old MTC apprentices being offered the opportunity to achieve their Gold DofE Award as part of an 18-month development programme.
The MTC will offer its apprentices the chance to enhance both personal and professional skills, empowering them to unlock their potential and enhance their career prospects. During the course of their DofE programmes, participants will volunteer in local communities, boost physical fitness, learn valuable business skills, carry out an expedition away from work and home, and connect with other young people during a residential activity.
Programme activities will be used to complement existing development for young employees, and focus on developing valuable business-relevant skills such as teamwork, commitment, determination, communication and a positive approach to work.
MTC chief executive Dr Clive Hickman said
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"As well as physical challenges, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award underlines personal skills and community contribution, which is entirely consistent with the high expectations we place on MTC apprentices. The young people we train are well-prepared for careers in manufacturing, but this partnership will enhance those skills with a sense of community and responsibility, producing well-rounded and extremely employable young adults."
Ruth Marvel, CEO of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award said:
“The Gold Award is the highest level of DofE programme and a great opportunity for MTC apprentices to push themselves out of their comfort zones and enhance their skills, both inside and outside their workplace. We look forward to hearing about their progress!”
The MTC was founded by the University of Birmingham, Loughborough University, the University of Nottingham and TWI Ltd. The MTC’s industrial members include some of the UK’s major global manufacturers.
The MTC aims to provide a competitive environment to bridge the gap between university-based research and the development of innovative manufacturing solutions, in line with the Government’s manufacturing strategy. The MTC is part of the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, supported by Innovate UK.
Pictured:
Licence certificate presentation at the Gold Award presentation
Left to right: Adrian Cooper (finance director, MTC), Ruth Marvel (CEO, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award), Clive Hickman (Chief executive, MTC), Vicki Sanderson (HR director, MTC)