June 2021

www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS June 2021 19 some specialist and intricate welding. “Hugo and Luke have less than 18 months left of their four years training and I’m excited to see how they progress. As for us, it’s not just about the years training they get at IMH it’s about building them up and really getting them ready for work. And we hope that’s with us! “In fact, a large proportion of our workforce started their careers as an IMH apprentice which we’re really proud of. The IMH team is highly trained with specialist hydraulic knowledge and so it’s great that we can share that knowledge with future engineers. Even once a trainee completes their apprenticeship, we continue training and investment in progressing their careers at our purpose- built training facility at our Middlesbrough headquarters. “In our experience, apprenticeship programmes shouldn’t be looked at as a short-term investment, yes some businesses may qualify for government funding through the appointment of apprentices but the value a business receives and what you’re able to provide back to that apprentice is long-term and often becomes a life-long successful career.” Sustained employment Government research from the ‘Learners and Apprentices Survey 2018’ echoes the experience of IMH, finding 90% of apprentices surveyed were still in employment after completing their training, with many still working for their apprenticeship employer. IMH states that it will continue to look at the recruitment of future apprentices as the business continues to grow. www.imh-uk.com All in a day’s work. Apprentices at IMH’s facilities in Middlesbrough.