On Tuesday, 19th November, the ALFED team had the privilege of visiting the Make UK Technology Hub in Birmingham, where we welcomed the shortlisted nominees for the ALFED Apprentice of the Year Award. The visit provided a fantastic opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facilities, hear directly from the Make UK team, and engage with apprentices who are currently benefiting from these resources.
The Make UK Technology Hub, an impressive 70,000 sq. ft. space, is a leading provider of technical training in the UK, supporting over 1,000 apprentices annually across engineering disciplines. Its cutting-edge capabilities include robotics, mechatronics, machining, and CAD, making it an ideal environment to nurture the next generation of talent. As part of the day, we gained insights into the critical role apprenticeships play in addressing the UK’s skills gap and the increasing demand for advanced technical expertise in the aluminium and manufacturing sectors.
A highlight of the visit was hearing from apprentices employed by ALFED members, such as Arconic and Jaguar Land Rover. These young professionals shared their inspiring journeys, detailing the challenges they faced in choosing the apprenticeship route. Many spoke of the overwhelming push from schools and colleges toward A Levels, sixth form, and university, with little emphasis on alternative career paths like apprenticeships. Despite these barriers, they persevered, finding rewarding opportunities that align with their career aspirations.
This stark disconnect between schools’ career guidance and the realities of the modern workforce must be addressed. ALFED is calling on schools and colleges to provide a more balanced approach to career advice, ensuring that students fully understand the value and potential of apprenticeships. These pathways not only provide practical, hands-on experience but also lead to qualifications and skills highly sought after in industries like ours.
We also had the opportunity to meet the judges for the final round of the ALFED Apprentice of the Year Award interviews, which took place during the visit. The shortlisted apprentices showcased their exceptional achievements and skills, making the selection process incredibly competitive. The winner will be announced at the upcoming ALFED Annual Dinner on Thursday, 28th November, an event we’re eagerly anticipating.
This visit reinforced the importance of investing in and advocating for apprenticeships. ALFED remains committed to supporting initiatives like Make UK’s training programs, which are vital for building a skilled and resilient workforce for the aluminium sector.
We encourage our members to champion apprenticeships within their own organisations and communities and to join us in calling for schools to expand their guidance on career pathways. Together, we can ensure that future generations are equipped with the tools, skills, and opportunities needed to thrive in our industry.
