b'Partner News Spring 2022 25EnterpriseCurrently working in the production engineering department, he has delivered numerous projects throughout his apprenticeship and current responsibilities include developing an optical barcode recognition system for some high value electric vehicle fixtures. The system determines the correct connector to be used in each of four products that are based on different, although virtually identical, printed circuits. Were good at retaining talent, however we often struggle to find candidates with the necessary skills and experience we are looking for. Weve realised that growing our own through the apprentice system is the way to ensure that we have the skills in place to meet future challenges and guarantee our ongoing success, says Ian Harpham, Pektrons Manufacturing Director.A route for graduates In addition to apprenticeships, and with the help of the IET, Pektron now also Sam Cotton, Pektron Degree Apprentice. provides work placements for engineering undergraduates. It had wanted to create a route for graduates to join Pektron for Celebratingsome time and with the initial placements cancelled due to the pandemic, was delighted to see them go ahead in 2021.Apprenticeship Week Providing the opportunity for undergraduates to experience a real-world commercial environment is really important, says Gary Colwill, Engineering Director at Pektron. Were all passionate about developing innovative electronics, Pektron took time out to reflect on the growth andbut understanding the often conflicting demands of the customer, technology, success of its various apprentices as part of Nationalcommercials and logistics is equally Apprenticeship Week back in February. important. Joe Leckie is currently working in software, validating bootloaders. I hope to improve As an organisation relatively new tomy technical skills and learn more about apprenticeships, Pektron has quicklythe software development process for real realised the value they deliver to both theprojects which rely on teamwork rather than participant and the sponsor.Weve realised that growingthe independent work Ive been doing at our own through theuniversity so far, he says. Pektron has apprentices from a variety of backgrounds, from school leavers to peopleapprentice system is the wayJimi Cunningham is more hardware-based, looking for a career change and apprenticesto ensure that we have thedeveloping processor changes for the work across the business, from qualityconstruction sector customer.control to production engineering. skills in place to meet future challenges and guarantee ourIm interested in whats expected of Supporting degree apprentices ongoing success. an electronics engineer day-to-day in a Sam Cotton is just about to completebusiness setting. Im curious how someone his level 6 degree apprenticeship with ain this role interacts with colleagues, in their bachelors in maintenance engineering fromown and different departments, along with Sheffield University.their customers, to achieve the best results.'