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Sandon Global Celebrates Triple Distinction Apprenticeship Success

Sandon Global, the British anilox manufacturer headquartered in Runcorn, Cheshire is celebrating the success of three team members who have each completed their Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeships with distinction at Riverside College in Widnes.

The final assessment reviews took place on 24th September at Riverside College, a further education college based over two sites in Widnes. All three apprentices, Dylan Angus, Joshua Dawson and Jamie Hinchliffe, made the top final grade to propel them into the next step of their engineering careers.

Commenting on this success, Richard Millington, Managing Director, Sandon Global, said, “We are extremely proud of Dylan, Josh and Jamie who have, very deservedly, achieved first class results in their Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeships. I am delighted that their commitment, dedication and hard work over the past four years has been recognised. The distinction grades achieved, demonstrate that our apprentices consistently exceeded the standards set for the role. On behalf of the whole Sandon Global team, we congratulate and commend them on their outstanding achievements.

“I’d also like to acknowledge the remarkable support that we have received locally from Riverside College, the Liverpool City Region, Mike Amesbury MP (Weaver Vale) and Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, who opened our new facility in January 2023. We are very fortunate to have had incredible backing from our community and the local authorities, and we are delighted that our apprenticeship scheme backed via their collective support for our new build project is clearly paying dividends.”

Sandon Global is a firm advocate of the apprenticeship scheme. Since 2017, it has partnered with Riverside College, and welcomed 18 apprentices to its team, providing them with the opportunity to work across a range of departments in its manufacturing operation.

Richard added, “The apprenticeship scheme is very close to our hearts here at Sandon Global. My father, and our CEO, John Millington, started out as an engineering apprentice and believes that the future of engineering science is to develop the skills of our young people who wish to have a future in manufacturing. We strongly believe in attracting and retaining new fresh talent to develop the next generation of engineering and print experts.”

A Level 3 Engineering Technician apprenticeship is a structured training programme that combines on-the-job experience with classroom learning to develop skilled engineering technicians. This hands-on approach enables them to gather valuable experience in various departments before finding a specific area for the final year of training. A distinction grade recognises the small proportion of apprentices who have provided evidence that is outstanding and consistently exceeds the required standard for competence.

However, it is not just engineering where Sandon Global is investing in the apprenticeship scheme. The company recently employed Megan Blackhurst, who joined the team in September this year as Internal Sales Apprentice, and who will be completing her Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship with Warrington & Vale Royal College. Five years ago, Alisha Hedges, Internal Sales Coordinator, also started out as a Business Administration Apprentice, and today is a key member of the sales department serving customers around the world. Alisha is now also a member of the Flexographic Industry Association UK’s (FIAUK) Shadow Board, a programme designed to provide young print industry members with a voice and encourage new talent into the sector.

Richard added, “As well as investing in the apprenticeship programme across engineering and business administration, we are committed to sharing our industry and technical knowledge with other young people working in the flexo print industry. As an active FIAUK Academy partner, we believe that investing in the future of our industry through practical learning and hands-on training is critical for the success of the flexographic printing sector.”

For more information, visit sandonglobal.com