March 4th-8th is National Apprentice Week – celebrating all those involved within apprenticeships across England.
Here at Smith of Derby we are extremely proud of all of our apprentices and are delighted to celebrate the success of the program which is run in partnership with Learning Unlimited.
The annual celebration, which is now in its twelfth year, brings the whole apprenticeship community together to promote and explore the positive impact of apprenticeships on individuals, employers and the economy across the UK.
Over the last four years we have employed six apprentices in both clock making and administration roles. Our latest apprentice clockmaker, Joe Mines, enjoys ‘on-the-job’ training from our team and our specialist training manager, Tony Charlesworth, as well as attending day release with Learning Unlimited, to take part in class and work-shop based training.
Joe joined the company in September 2018. “The apprenticeship program has offered me a fantastic opportunity. Since joining the company, I have developed my knowledge of both the traditional and new clock sectors, as well as gaining qualifications through the local college which I will be able to use in my career – I love it!” remarks Joe.
John Smith, founder of Smith of Derby in 1856.
John Smith, who founded our company in 1856 and is pictured on the right, was himself apprentice to John Whitehurst III – part of the Whitehurst dynasty of clockmakers.
Today, Smith of Derby continue to play its part in the British Horological Industry and our wider role in the development of the next generation of clockmakers through our award-winning apprenticeship program.
We are recruiting today! Why not call us or tell a budding horologist all about us!