On the 1st July 2022, Youth Engineering (YES) will begin producing components solely for Bradbury Group.
As Youth Engineering’s biggest customer, this new direction will allow YES to fully integrate into the Group’s manufacturing process, creating a more seamless transition, from component manufacture to the end product of steel doors.
The charitable nature of Youth Engineering will remain, and young people will continue to be encouraged into a career in engineering, providing opportunities for those not otherwise engaged in education, employment or training. Partnerships are key to success, and the scheme will continue to work closely with schools and colleges locally, to ensure the continuation of the program.
This change in strategy comes at a time when Bradbury Group is launching the Bradbury Academy; a dedicated training and development scheme, designed to provide existing and future employees with a personalised development program.
“The integration of Youth Engineering alongside the newly formed Bradbury Academy is an opportunity for us to shape the future of Bradbury Group with a skilled and educated workforce” says Tim Strawson, Chairman for Youth Engineering Scunthorpe. “It also helps our people to feel they are getting the most out of their roles, and encourages future career progression and development, with personalised training plans should they want to pursue this.”
Bradbury Group has been encouraging training and development of its employees for a number of years and is proud of its long-term partnerships with North Lindsey College, Springfield Training and HETA. Formalising this through the Bradbury Academy will ensure continued focus and investment in developing and training its employees. Additionally, the company is investing in a training and IT hub, providing a dedicated space for those participating in on-site education and training.
The company currently employs 14 apprentices across its business in manufacturing, engineering and IT roles, with an additional 7 expected later in the year. Additionally, the group has graduates and trainees across a range of departments, including sales and marketing. Since the start of 2022, Bradbury Group has delivered over 335 training programs to its employees through experienced education providers, with a number of additional courses taking place in the second half of the year. The company also supports internships and work experience placements through links with local schools, colleges and universities.
“We hope that through our continued focus on developing and rewarding our people, we can encourage employees from the region to come and work for us, as one of Scunthorpe’s most attractive employers” says Tim. “And we will continue to develop this moving forward, through employee benefits and packages.”
Youth Engineering was founded in 2014 by chairman Tim Strawson on the back of a recognised local need for young people without traditional mainstream education or training to learn new skills in engineering, a fundamental part of the manufacturing sector. The charitable scheme enables any individual, regardless of background to gain hands-on, real-life experience alongside a dedicated training program through accredited providers. The scheme encourages a long term career in engineering, either through Bradbury Group or other employers locally.
The Bradbury Academy was formed in 2022 as part of an increasing emphasis on ensuring people achieve their full potential. The Academy has formal partnerships with local training providers and encourages individuals to have personalised training plans based on their long term career goals and skills gaps. As part of the academy, Bradbury Group provides apprenticeships, graduate schemes, internships and ongoing training opportunities in a wide variety of areas, from engineering to IT and sales.