Sheffield-based employee named Apprentice of the Year

Laser Tools has always recognised the business benefits of apprenticeships and the company’s commitment to its apprenticeship programme has again been recognised as employee Russell Fox (based at Laser Tools’ manufacturing arm, Eldon Tool and Engineering Limited of Sheffield) has been named the AMRC Training Centre’s Boeing Apprentice of the Year. This prestigious award was announced at the UK's first ever University-based Apprentice Awards event which was held last week (11 March 2015) at the University of Sheffield. Sponsored by Boeing, the awards dinner recognised the achievements of talented apprentices at the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre.

The black tie event, attended by 200 guests, celebrated the Centre’s 400-strong apprentices, honouring the best of the best with 11 awards, and the top award of the night, presented by the Managing Director of Boeing UK, went to 17-year-old Russell Fox, who was named the AMRC Training Centre’s Boeing Apprentice of the Year. Russell wins the trip of a lifetime to Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, where he will see the aerospace giant’s new Dreamliner being made.

Russell applied for an apprenticeship at Eldon Tool and Engineering after completing his GCSEs. He commented: “I have really enjoyed the freedom to learn that the Training Centre has given me. This has been reflected in my academic achievements this year. I am now keen to progress on to a foundation degree.”

Laser Tools’ Managing Director Martin Smith said, “We are very proud of Russell’s achievements and especially this prestigious award. Here at Laser Tools we take our apprenticeship programme very seriously, both at our headquarters in Southam, Warwickshire and at Eldon Tool and Engineering in Sheffield.

“As an organisation we are always looking to the future and we work hard to ensure that our workforce has the practical skills and qualifications that will carry us forward. This has been reflected in recent years with the accolades our apprentices have won, Sam Abbott in 2012 (Apprentice of the Year), Alex Montisci in 2013 (SMC Award of Excellence) and now of course Russell Fox.”

The Laser Tools’ range specialises in the automotive sector and their products are available through automotive wholesale outlets, motor factors, independent retailers, hardware stores and van sales. Well known worldwide (Laser Tools exports to over 60 countries) and acclaimed for their quality, real value for money and is backed up by a technical service that is second to none. Their highly regarded ranges of engine timing tools and suspension bush tools are designed and developed in-house and manufactured at the Sheffield plant.