A Newbridge-based contract electronics manufacturer has appointed three apprentices for a hands-on engineering career; and is now urging the industry to address the negative stereotype of manufacturing among young people.

Liam Ricketts, 20, from Pontypool, and Jeff Lee, 29, and Thomas Gardner, 17, both from Rhondda, join Axiom Manufacturing Services’ 231-strong team.

Liam Ricketts said: “I’m really grateful to have been offered a place here at Axiom, it was only after a tour of the facility, that I knew how lucky I was.

"It was far from the ‘dirty’ image that I had in my mind of manufacturing, one of rows and rows of production lines. I was amazed at how few things were actually made by hand and at how quick the circuit boards are made. The technology here is mind blowing.

“The reality, which many young people aren’t aware of, is that advanced manufacturing is full of clean spaces, high tech, state-of-the-art equipment and workers who earn more than the national average. The industry is constantly evolving and I want to be at the forefront of the innovation, Axiom is the perfect place to do this.”

Axiom started the scheme in 2011 to help kick start careers in the electronic manufacturing industry, and address the on-going debate surrounding overly negative stereotypes thought to be hampering its growth.

Zoe Williams, human resources manager at Axiom, said: “Liam’s initial reaction to manufacturing is more common place than you would think, which is why fundamentally, we need to improve the image of manufacturing for future generations if the industry is to remain competitive globally. For this we need an educated, highly skilled workforce dedicated to taking raw materials and transforming them into innovative products.

“It's all about creating opportunities, offering support and providing workforce training to those who want to enter the evermore-critical field of manufacturing.”

Apprenticeships ensure that Axiom’s workforce has the practical skills and qualifications the business needs, while ensuring its long term sustainability. After a rigorous selection process, the three apprentices, will be trained in conjunction with Coleg Morgannwg, and undergo a training programme lasting up-to four years. This will include working in every department within the company before choosing a specialism. The three new recruits will also continue in education on a day-release basis once a week.