PRESS RELEASE

Issued 31 July 2012 – for immediate release
 
 

SME boss views government's approach to apprenticeships as ‘lacklustre'

The CEO of a Bedfordshire-based SME believes the government's campaign to recruit apprentices lacks both commitment and investment.

Andrew Robinson, CEO of Automated Technology Group (ATG) Ltd, said, "There are bright young people out there and employers in booming sectors of industry crying out for them. It's the government's job to match them up but they are failing in this key task. Their efforts are lacklustre, to say the least."

Mr Robinson, 44, who began his own career as an apprentice, continued, "With the current manufacturing boom in the UK, we have simply been unable to recruit sufficient staff of the right calibre through the traditional channels. As a result, we have taken the decision to launch our own apprenticeship scheme in order to fast-track school leavers and graduates."

"In 2011 SMEs accounted for more than half of employment and almost half of turnover in the UK private sector," explained Andrew Robinson. "Although the government talks up the importance of SMEs, this is simply not matched by the scale of support provided by the various government bodies responsible for promoting apprenticeships, which seem to focus solely on the needs and successes of Britain's largest companies. SMEs don't have the same resources as the big boys, so we rely on the support structure provided by the government in this area. Right now," he continued, "SMEs are the very companies that have the ability to kick-start the UK economy when it needs it most. This is why the government's efforts, which appear to lack both commitment and investment, are so disappointing. The coalition should be aiming the spotlight firmly on SMEs and pushing its quangos to support us."

"As a medium-sized enterprise," continued Mr Robinson, "we've bitten the bullet and invested in our own scheme – the Autotech Academy – and we're aiming to take on some 20 apprentices before the end of this year. We're keen to hear from motivated young people with an interest in engineering, especially in the Bedford and Birmingham areas," he added.

ATG – based in Silsoe, Bedfordshire – is the UK's largest independent automation control company, with a turnover of around £30m. The engineering group is buoyant through a string of orders from the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, BAA, Bentley, Coca-Cola, Ford, Tata Steel, the US Air Force and the MOD.

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About ATG
Established in April 2012 through the acquisition by Autotech Controls Ltd of Igranic Control Systems Ltd and PSJ Fabrications Ltd, Automated Technology Group Ltd is the UK's largest independent supplier of automation control solutions. Headquartered in Silsoe, Bedfordshire, the forecast for ATG's turnover in 2012 is £29 million and the group employs over 200 people across four facilities in Silsoe, Bedford and Birmingham.

Picture captions – the images shown below are available in high resolution on request to:heidi@bridgeland-copyright.co.uk

Andrew Robinson.jpg
Andrew Robinson, CEO of Automated Technology Group Ltd

Apprentice1.jpg
The Autotech Academy aims to recruitsome 20 apprentices before the end of the year

Apprentice2.jpg
ATG has invested over £1 million in its virtual manufacturing services, which are particularly valued by the automotive sector

Autotech Academy.eps
The logo for Autotech Academy, ATG's new apprenticeship scheme
 

Company contact:
Mr Andrew Robinson, CEO
ATG Ltd
Unit 59, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedfordshire MK45 4HS
Tel:  +44 (0)1582 400690

Media contact:
Heidi Scott, Partner
Bridgeland Copyright
Tel: +44 (0)1622 832598
E-mail:heidi@bridgeland-copyright.co.uk