Apprenticeship academy gets royal seal of approval

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Kent, has officially opened an academy building for apprentices at a UK O-ring manufacturer in Dorset.

Ferndown-based Superior Ltd manufactures and supplies precision rubber O-ring seals and mouldings - critical components in many types of pumps, valves and piping systems – for companies worldwide. This year Superior is also extending its laboratory facilities for compound development.

This is the second time the Duke, who has a particular interest in British manufacturing and engineering, has visited Superior. His first visit – in 2009 - came shortly after the company was presented with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise and during that visit the Duke launched the Superior Apprenticeship Scheme.

This time the Duke was shown around the Academy’s facilities including apprentice classroom, audio-visual presentation room and customer areas.<p>

Tim Brown, Superior’s Managing Director, said: “We are very proud of the brand new Academy and everything it represents, so we were absolutely delighted to welcome the Duke of Kent back– this time to officially open our new building. We hope it will be an inspiration to all our staff.”

Currently there are 14 apprentices undertaking the scheme, handpicked from local schools. Mark Wallis, Superior’s Commercial Director said: “We take our apprenticeship scheme very seriously - we have excellent links with our local schools and colleges and aim to recruit, train and retain local youngsters who demonstrate the energy and enthusiasm that drives this company. Within the new Academy - and under the guidance of our dedicated training manager- we’ll be able to equip these young people for a successful working life, hopefully in manufacturing.”

Chief Executive of the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Peter Scott MBE, said: “I commend Superior for its initiative in creating the Academy, at a time when youth unemployment and up skilling the workforce remains some of Britain’s biggest challenges.”