Nelson and Colne College apprentice Michal a ‘shining example’ as he wins award

By Nelson and Colne College

27 Sep 2019

michal-halamicek-photo.jpg

A Nelson and Colne College engineering apprentice who has made a significant difference to the performance of his employer acdc has won a coveted Apprenticeship accolade.

Michal Halamicek, 30, who is quality controller at the Barrowford lighting specialists, underlined his status as a shining example to other Apprentices by walking away with the title of North West Intermediate Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards Regional Final in Liverpool.

Michal will now progress to the national final in London on 27 November, where he will be up against the Intermediate Apprentice winners from the country’s eight other regions.

Since gaining the position of quality controller in December 2018, Michal has introduced a new purpose built inspection room 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 the company has had zero returned products from customers due to soldering defects in 2019.

Michal says that through his Apprenticeship, he has improved his spoken and written English, developed his confidence and ambition, and boosted his computer skills and analytical and problem solving skills. He also believes his engineering drawing and tooling skills have been enhanced and he has a better understanding of customer service and relationship management.

Michal said: “It’s been a great learning journey for me, and a really good experience. I’m delighted to be recognised and it’s a massive achievement.

“I didn’t expect to be in a college when I came to England from Czechia seven years ago with no regonised qualifications, so it is fantastic to have completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship and to now be working towards an Advanced Apprenticeship. It’s putting me on the path to become a fully qualified Electrical Engineer and an expert in the field of compliance which is my career aim.

“Without the support of acdc and my colleagues, as well as the Apprenticeship Team at Nelson and Colne College, none of this would have been achievable. I’m very happy, grateful and proud to win such a prestigious award." 

As well as becoming quality controller, Michal’s technical knowledge of the company’s products has also seen him take on an After Sales role at acdc. He says his biggest achievement is one that came through this role – by conquering his fear of heights when working on the roof of Tottenham Hotspur’s new £1billion football stadium, at which acdc supplied the lighting for the roof and exterior.

Harriett Wrest, quality manager at acdc, said: “I’m extremely proud of Michal and this accolade is very much deserved. His work ethic and innovative approach to making improvements to business processes, and to the performance of the company, is exemplary and these qualities underline his determination to succeed.

“He is a valued member of the Quality Team at acdc and Michal’s enthusiasm and passion is also motivating colleagues, which is an additional benefit to the business. We’re thrilled that he has won this award.”

Barbara Livesey, director for apprenticeships and training at Nelson and Colne College Group, said: “Michal’s progress and his willingness to continually to improve himself and the business really is inspiring. He is a shining example to other apprentices.

“His ‘right first time’ attitude transfers from the shop floor at acdc into the work he has produced throughout his Intermediate Apprenticeship. Michal’s Trainer Assessor has consistently been very impressed by the standard of the course work he has produced, and I would like to congratulate Michal on his stellar achievements on behalf of the Apprenticeship Team at College.”

Nelson and Colne College is the number on college in the country for 16-18 timely Apprenticeship achievement, and is number one in Lancashire for employer satisfaction in the FE Choices Employer Survey.

If you would like to enrol on to an apprenticeship with Nelson and Colne College, please contact the Apprenticeship Team at [email protected] or call on 01282 440319. Further information can also be found at www.nelson.co.uk/apprenticeships

Latest news

1

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector Mo Isap Chair Of The Lancashire Business Board Nick Miles National Cyber Force Deputy Director For Samlesbury Annette Weekes Representative Of The NWRDSC

Lancashire emerges as key player in UK's Defence and Tech Sector

03 Jul 2025

2

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire BAE Systems Radar

Report shows impact of BAE Systems in Lancashire

02 Jul 2025

3

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans Waste recycling Blackpool

Three weekly domestic waste collection considered in plans

01 Jul 2025

4

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries Graham Engineering

Graham Engineering confirms sale to a2e Industries

01 Jul 2025

5

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted Training 2000

Training 2000 celebrates 'Good' rating by Ofsted

01 Jul 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
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

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

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase
unnamed (2).jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
09 Jul 2025 - 09 Jul 2025

Tri-Site Survey Equipment Showcase

Crow Wood Hotel, Burnley, BB12 0RT

09:30 - 16:00

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast
talentreimaginedbb.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Choose Chorley for Business - Talent Reimagined Business Breakfast

Strawberry Fields Digital Hub, Chorley, PR71PS

08:00 - 10:30

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers
Champagne-Jewellery 10 07 25_page-0001.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
10 Jul 2025 - 10 Jul 2025

Blackburn Cathedral hosts Champagne and Diamonds Event with Ainsworth Jewellers

Blackburn Cathedral, Blackburn, BB1 5AA

18:00 - 20:30

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past
1750160034867.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
16 Jul 2025 - 16 Jul 2025

Shaping Preston's future by remembering its past

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:30

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin