Specialist fabricator Mercury Glazing has just taken on its first apprentice. Ben Fletcher has joined the company as an Order Processing Apprentice. Chris Reeks, Mercury’s Sales and Marketing Director commented: “We’re delighted Ben has joined our team. We are a growing business and we want to invest in our future as well as the future of our local community. This apprenticeship scheme gives us the opportunity to do both.”
Ben is 19 years old and will be following a BTEC Administration course whilst training as an order processor. Chris says: “Ben is a computer enthusiast who enjoys designing and takes pride in seeing the finished article, so he has exactly the skills we need and mindset we want.”
Mercury has a long term growth strategy in place, including an investment programme covering premises, plant, processes and machinery. The company has just invested in iCloud, the latest and most efficient way of processing fenestration products via First Degree’s Window Designer software. But for Chris, capital investment is only part of the story. “Having the right people in the business is just as important as having the right machinery or delivery vehicle. The apprenticeship scheme means we can train Ben and he can grow his skills and experience with us and add value to our business. For example, his role will include helping us to take advantage of the latest features of the newly installed Window Designer software and help drive the efficiency of the administration of the company’s aluminium production as a whole.”
The apprenticeship is being coordinated by Prospect Training Services, a company local to Mercury in Gloucester. Chris says: “Prospect is keen to work with businesses and support the introduction of young people into the workplace. We’re grateful to Prospect for the support we’ve received throughout a process that is going to help futureproof our business while also ‘giving something back’.”
Mercury Glazing is a specialist manufacturer of the Spectus vertical slider, the VEKA FlushSash window, timber vertical slider windows, aluminium commercial products and aluminium residential products. The company has seen strong sustainable growth in the past few years by delivering the value-added products and service that installers need. And as Ben’s apprenticeship demonstrates, the company is putting plans in place to continue to deliver in years to come!
