Friction welding specialist Thompson is playing its part in helping maintain British engineering skills by recruiting two new apprentices. Bradley Norton, aged 18, and Conna Buckley, 19, both from Bilston, are training to be design engineers at the Halesowen-based company, which produces machines for joining a wide range of components.
They are studying for their BTEC HNC Level 4 diplomas in mechanical engineering at Dudley College.
Thompson, which already employs two other apprentices, has also welcomed intern Alexander Reiss, 20, who is working in the design department on a 6-month secondment from parent company KUKA Systems.
Were very keen to encourage and inspire the next generation of engineers so that valuable skills and knowledge are not allowed to die out, said managing director Peter Lovegrove.
The busy firm has recently refurbished its assembly hall as part of the latest phase of a substantial investment programme during its 50th anniversary year.