A Kidderminster bellows and machinery protection firm today announced plans to extend its apprenticeship programme, with two new placements to be created next year.

Beakbane, based in Stourport Road, is currently training three apprentices and has recently recruited two more.

And bosses have announced due to the success of the scheme, two more will be taken on next year.

Manufacturing Manager Roy Legg said the company was committed to nurturing young talent.

“Training young people is vital to the future of Beakbane – and the future of UK manufacturing as a whole,” he said.

“When you look at the typical age profile in an engineering company like Beakbane there is a concentration of skilled staff in the age range from 45 to 50.

“If we want to stay successful we need to nurture new talent.”

The apprentices, who are recruited and trained in conjunction with the Worcester Group Training Association, will undergo a training programme that can last up to four years.

This includes up to one year of off-site training followed by a period working in the company, while receiving further college training on a day-release basis.

Beakbane’s first two advanced level apprentices, Craig Fox and Matt Barnett, joined the company in 2008 and are now entering the final six months of an Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering (Manufacturing) at Worcester College of Technology.

Mr Barnett said the apprenticeship scheme was a great opportunity for people like him.

“It’s a chance to continue to study, as well as get the practical experience,” he added.

They were joined in 2010 by Gavin Strange, who is now working on his NVQ level 3 Craft Apprenticeship, and last month maintenance apprentice Alistair Handley and technical apprentice Luke Collins also joined the team.

Mr Legg said the success of the current apprentices had reinforced the decision to recruit two more – a craft apprentice and the company’s first commercial apprentice in 2012.

As well as its apprentices, Beakbane is also sponsoring Adam Chrimes, a member of the design team, on a day-release BTEC course that could then lead to an HNC.