Three new apprentices have started this month with Rotolok, the Tiverton Head Quarters of the valve manufacturer.
Daniel Tapp, Rotolok’s Production Manager is delighted with this year’s cohort and said “We are placing increasing emphasis on our apprenticeship scheme and realise that bringing through youngsters who are keen and interested in our engineering activities is vital to our ongoing success. After a comprehensive recruitment process, Hamish, Ben, and James have done really well and impressed. It is a few years now since I completed my apprenticeship and I know what a big step it is from education into the workplace. I’m sure the training and opportunity here at Rotolok will be embraced by our 2020 intake”.
The apprenticeship program at Rotolok combines on-site training and day release at Exeter college. Apprentices typically gain experience in workshop areas including the Laser Department, Welding and Fabrication, Machine Shop, Assembly, Quality Control, and the Design Office. The College course initially leads to an Engineering Technician Level 3 in manufacturing/product design with the opportunity to progress all the way to HND in mechanical engineering and design.
Hamish Ayre from Uffculme who starts in the Design Office said “I’m particularly interested in CAD design and really enjoyed my work experience at Rotolok earlier this year when I was on my placement during my Level 3 BTEC with Exeter College. I like the product development side of things and Rotolok seem to be constantly innovating products and it would be good to be involved in those improvement initiatives”.
James Hart, from Tiverton, who completed his A levels in Maths & Physics at Richard Huish college in Taunton, said “I have always preferred to be more practical with my learning so to get a job at one of our successful local companies was really pleasing. Rotolok manufacture so many parts in-house so there is going to be a lot to learn but that is exciting”.
Ben Parry, also from Tiverton, said “Rotolok have an amazing machine shop with many modern CNC machines and I can’t wait to learn the setting up and programming elements of component machining. I’ve only just completed my Extended Diploma in Engineering at Petroc college, but everyone seems really supportive so I’m looking forward to being part of the team here”.
Founded in 1973, Rotolok manufactures and exports most of its products from its Tiverton site but also operates subsidiaries in the US, France, South Africa, Singapore, India, and Australia. Its core business is the manufacture of rotary valves and other powder handling equipment together with designing and providing pneumatic and mechanical handling systems for customers.
Back to News
