MP praises apprentices on factory visit
14th March 2017
Posted on March 14th, 2017
Maggie met three apprentices Friday at Chamber member Dales Fabrications, which designs and makes aluminium products including fascias, soffits and rainwater systems for buildings.
Dales Fabrications hit the headlines last December when it made curved aluminium solar shading units for digital advertising screens above Piccadilly Underpass, in London.
“It's amazing the range of products that are made in Ilkeston,” Maggie said while touring the factory, on Crompton Industrial Estate.
“Dales is another example of how local goods are making a difference to the country.”
Maggie met apprentices David Pritchard, 22, from Chaddesden, Derby, who is a production processor, welder Rosie Dales, 25, from Nottingham, and 18-year-old Tia Bexon, of Ilkeston, who is a business administrator.
David had the option to go to university but wanted to learn and earn. “I'm getting a salary and will be an experienced qualified graduate in another two years,” he said.
Maggie said: “It's good to meet the apprentices here and to hear how much they are enjoying the work and how they see their careers progressing.
“I would encourage more young people to look at the apprenticeship route as an alternative to university."
Karl Prosser, Managing Director of Dales, who served his apprenticeship with the RAF, heaped praise on the apprentices.
“They are all core members of the business, not just trainees, and they fulfil a very real function,” he said, adding: "They have contributed significantly to our recent successes.”
The company boosted sales last year by £1m to break the £4m barrier, beating the previous best figure by almost £1m.
