Nelson and Colne College apprentice lighting the way for others after national award nomination

By Nelson and Colne College

24 Jul 2019

michal-halamicek-acdc.jpg

A Nelson and Colne College apprentice and leading light at LED specialists acdc has been nominated for a national award for the positive impact his work has had on the company.

Level 2 Engineering Apprentice Michal Halamicek, 30, from Barrowford, has been put forward for a National Apprenticeship Award after a number of changes he implemented at acdc resulted in dramatic improvements to the business.

The improvements made under Michal’s supervision include a new purpose built inspection room with clearly identified areas of progress which has significantly reduced the number of defective products leaving the factory to an all-time low in 2019. On the company’s most popular product line, for example, the average improvement is between 50% and 66%.

New soldering irons which melt solder at a lower temperature and provide a better connection have also been introduced by Michal and acdc has had zero returned products from customers due to soldering defects in 2019.

Michal, who was promoted to the role of quality controller, is encouraging others to consider completing an Apprenticeship after seeing how it has benefited him personally and professionally, as Nelson and Colne College’s Apprenticeship Team prepares to hold a series of Apprenticeship Summer Workshops beginning on Wednesday 7 August – designed to get people ready and prepared for their Apprenticeship journey.

Michal, whose technical knowledge and professionalism has also seen him take on an After Sales role too, said: “I chose to do my Apprenticeship because I was given the opportunity to progress at acdc. I love working with the products and looking at innovative ways to improve them and I always want to learn more, and improve the business.

“I would like to complete a HND and then a full Electrical Engineering degree. I’m currently learning testing and compliance which will lead to working with standards and specifications from all over the world and my aim is to become an expert in this field.

“Through my Apprenticeship, my confidence has improved, my computer skills are better and my English is now good. My problem-solving, analytical skills and report writing have developed, and I have a better understanding of customer service and relationship management. My Engineering drawing skills and tooling skills are also much better.

“A big part of my role is motivating others. I’m seen as a mentor within the business which I like. I would encourage others to do an Apprenticeship as I would not be where I am now without mine. I want to be the example others follow and it is great that colleagues who have seen the progress I have achieved through my Apprenticeship are now considering the same pathway.

“My biggest achievement so far is overcoming my fear of heights by working on the roof of Tottenham Hotspur’s new £1billion football stadium. acdc supplied the lighting for the roof and exterior, and this was a big contract requiring good relationship management. The stadium had a successful launch in March and it was satisfying knowing that I had played my part.”

Hattie Wrest, quality manager at acdc, said: “Michal is a valued member of the team here at acdc and his proactive approach enables him to interact positively throughout the business.

“His attitude is of the highest level, offering support and guidance to those around him. He constantly strives to learn and improve and is very much the ‘go to’ person when seeking solutions or innovation for the manufacturing processes.

“Michal’s tenacious standpoint on Quality earns him the respect of his fellow workers who follow his lead and ensure a ‘right first time’ approach. He is integral in the development of our Engineering skill set and it is a pleasure to have him in the team.”

For more information or to book onto the Apprenticeship workshops, please contact Nelson and Colne College’s Apprenticeship Team on 01282 440319 or email [email protected].

Nelson and Colne College is the number one college in the country for 16-18 learner achievement and 16-18 timely Apprenticeship achievement. The college is also number one in Lancashire for A Levels and vocational courses, based on progress scores, and is the leading FE College in the country for GCSE Mathematics progress and second nationally for English progress.

NCC is also the number one college in Lancashire for both student satisfaction and employer satisfaction, based on the latest FE Choices survey.

For more information about Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272 or visit www.nelson.ac.uk

Latest news

1

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft David Nichol John Garnett Aydan Jones and Laura Tilley

VARS Technology team up with debt resolution specialists to fight fuel theft

12 Sep 2025

2

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change University of Lancashire new feature

University of Lancashire unveils Preston campus installation to celebrate name change

12 Sep 2025

3

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake Lucy Field, Kate Walsh, Ellie Fisher, Zainab Aswat, Reece Jones, Aisha Bibi Patel, Finley Vila, Uzair Zariwala, Richard Prest, and Charlie Harrison

PM+M welcomes ten new apprentices for 2025 intake

11 Sep 2025

4

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment Andrew Grove

ROCCIA strengthens commercial division with senior appointment

11 Sep 2025

5

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November Gary McEwan managing director of Interfloor

Final call for investors: Rossendale community solar project must hit target by November

10 Sep 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs
Sub36 Deaf Village Social1200
Networking
17 Sep 2025

Sub36 Networking - Follow the signs

The Deaf Village, Blackburn, BB2 5EN

10:00 - 12:00

LBV124 September/October Launch Event
MBP Arc Cinema Preston Opening 205
Networking
18 Sep 2025

LBV124 September/October Launch Event

The Arc Cinema, Preston, PR1 2BL

08:30 - 10:30

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!
Preston Tech Connection Sept 25.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Sep 2025 - 16 Sep 2025

Preston Tech Connection - The Ultimate Tech Quiz!

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
17 Sep 2025 - 17 Sep 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation
Chorley Council breakfast event new
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Your Business, Your Region: Making sense of devolution and Local Government Reorganisation

Worden Hall, Leyland, PR25 3DH

08:00 - 11:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September
Sept Freelancer (1).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
23 Sep 2025 - 23 Sep 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: September

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Speed Networking with BNI
2.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
24 Sep 2025 - 24 Sep 2025

Speed Networking with BNI

Chorley Football Club, Chorley, PR7 3DU

16:00 - 19:00

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September
TMM Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
25 Sep 2025 - 25 Sep 2025

The Marketing Meetup IRL: Lancashire - September

Chorley, PR7 2SL

18:00 - 20:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin