Pipex px® Local business Pipex px® are specialists in thermoplastic and composite pipe systems, bespoke fabrications and structures. They have been working in close collaboration with City College Plymouth for the past five years in order to facilitate their Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship Scheme. The close working relationship between Pipex px® and the College has ensured the high calibre of apprentices year on year.
always treated me as an individual and have provided me with an excellent career path.” Following the overwhelming success of its Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship scheme, Pipex px® have now incorporated an administration programme within the business. Following the introduction of the programme, two full-time apprentices now work at the company’s Plymouth Head Quarters. Grace Bull, a Business Administration apprentice said: “Everyone from
Since the Pipex px® scheme launched in 2007, all individuals that have completed the three year Apprenticeship have gained full-time employment with Pipex px® - a success rate of 100%.
Pipex px® and City College Plymouth have been so supportive and encouraging and have helped my career move forwards.
Jacqui Snow, an Advanced Manufacturing apprentice with Pipex px® spoke about her experience: “The College has enhanced my knowledge and really prepared me for the trade I have chosen. Whilst this is normally a male dominated role, Pipex px® have
Grace continued: I have found the course extremely interesting and challenging so far and due to the flexibility shown by the College on course time frames, I would definitely consider undertaking further training at the College in the future.”
City College Plymouth - Employer Case Study
In addition to the Apprenticeship scheme, the College has also mentored the Pipex px® training division in achieving National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) centre status, which has enabled Pipex px® to initialise a programme to educate all current employees to NVQ levels. The close working relationship between the two organisations is formalised through the College’s Employer Endorsement Scheme. The Scheme, which is free to join, offers employers the chance to be involved with future curriculum development, as well as giving access to a pool of work-ready young people. Jon Barr, Operations Director with Pipex px® said: “We are extremely dedicated and committed to training and developing our business. This has recently resulted in Pipex px® being voted the Overall Best SME by the prestigious Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IMECHE).” Jon continued: “We
are extremely proud of our affiliation with City College Plymouth and to be granted a place as an Employer Endorser. This allows us to engage with the College and actively input into future curriculum development, which is vital to keeping the business and our employees competitive. We have found that College staff have been extremely accommodating and really focused on our requirements. They have supported us with our current and future ambitions and not only have they mentored us during the internal NVQ process, they have also involved Pipex px® in future initiatives within the College and City.”
City College Plymouth, Kings Road, Plymouth, PL1 5QG T: 01752 305026 E: employers@cityplym.ac.uk W: www.cityplym.ac.uk/employers