Case study: Ella Jones

March 1, 2019

Flying the flag for female Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) apprentices across Shropshire is 20-year-old Ella Jones.

She’s a role-model for all those toying with the idea of undertaking an apprenticeship over a university degree course.

Ella plumped for the former route after completing her A-Levels and has absolutely no regrets.

She’s currently in the second year of an apprenticeship with leading manufacturer Grainger & Worrall and the paid, practical, on the job learning is suiting her down to the ground.

She’s not only gaining valuable skills but also essential work experience and qualifications to help develop her career.

Ella spends two days a week at Grainger & Worrall’s site in Bridgnorth and three days at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Skills, also located in Bridgnorth.

She said: “The first year of my apprenticeship has given me the valuable engineering foundations and skills needed to move forward with my career, with both G&W and MCMT providing experience, skills and lessons.

“With three days a week at MCMT and two days a week at G&W it’s been great to put the lessons I’ve learnt to use in both environments.

“So far at MCMT I have been involved in fitting, turning, health and safety, business improvement techniques, maths and I am shortly starting milling.”

Ella’s apprenticeship in Technical Support covers general engineering processes as well as more specific skills which are required at G&W.

The programme of study covers a variety of STEM-related hands-on skills such as fitting, turning, milling, CNC, electrical and welding as well as mathematics, communication, materials, CAD and health and safety in the workplace.

And, Ella could not rate it more highly.

She said: “It’s brilliant. I get to work with a really good group of people, led by experts, and the training to work ratio means I can see how the academic side relates to actual projects.”

Ella’s plan is to continue to balance work and study to degree level in Engineering.

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The Marches Local Enterprise Partnership has now ceased trading and transferred all its functions to Shropshire Council working with Telford & Wrekin Council and Herefordshire Council, in line with the UK Government's plans for devolution.

The Marches LEP was established in 2011 and hands over an impressive legacy from its 13-year life. In that time the LEP invested over £196m in projects across the Marches, securing in excess of £100m of match funding and supported more than 66,000 business interactions.

The schemes supported have made tangible differences to local communities, increasing skills, creating jobs and improving the physical appearance of many towns.

We would like to thank all the LEP Board Members who have given their time freely over the life of the LEP, as well as all the staff who worked for the LEP over the years. We also want to thank our delivery partners, local education providers and local, regional and national stakeholders who helped us achieve so much.

The Marches Growth Hub will continue to support businesses and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford and Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Each of the three Local Authorities will also continue to provide direct business support locally. Details of this support will be available through the Marches Growth Hub website and from the Local Authorities directly. Website: www.marchesgrowthhub.co.uk | email: enquiries@marchesgrowthhub.co.uk.

The Marches Careers Hub will continue to be delivered and will be managed by Shropshire Council, supported by Telford & Wrekin and Herefordshire Councils. Website: www.marchescareershub.co.uk | email: info@marchescareershub.co.uk

For any queries about Getting Building Fund (GBF), Local Growth Fund (LGF) and Marches Investment Fund (MIF) projects supported by the Marches LEP please contact: gary.spence@shropshire.gov.uk

For any finance queries please contact: michelle.hodgkiss@shropshire.gov.uk

The solvent liquidation of the Marches LEP is being managed by the Evelyn Partners Limited. For any matter related to this please contact: Camilla.Mulholland@evelyn.com

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