Apprentice of the year Danny Jeffcock and classmates graduate at Finning

Dozens of young engineers had cause for celebration as they became the first graduates from Finning UK’s apprentice academy.

The £1.5 million facility, based at the firm’s UK headquarters in Watling Street, Cannock, took on its first 30 recruits in 2007.

They have spent the past three years studying for their NVQ Level 3 and Advanced Technical certificates in Plant Mechanics for the country’s biggest distributor of Caterpillar machinery.

The graduation ceremony was held yesterday, with Danny Jeffcock picking up the Apprentice of the Year award in recognition of his attitude, commitment and enthusiasm.

The 27 engineering apprentices and three vehicles parts apprentices, who were drawn from as far afield as Aberdeen and Cornwall, will now be deployed to one the firm’s 23 branches across the UK.

The company employs around 4,000 people – with 500 working at the Cannock branch.

The apprenticeship scheme, which is open to those aged 16 or over, will continue next year, with recruitment in January.