What More UK trains apprentices in specialist skills

What More UK believes in the ‘Made in Britain’ ethos, buying local wherever possible and training their staff from the ground up. Engineering is a specialist industry requiring traditional skills, and the recent acquisition of Canteen Smithy will only strengthen What More’s toolmaking capabilities.

In order to keep up with their expansion and growth, they hire and train young apprentices, who train on the job to keep up local knowledge of manufacturing, and engineering skills. Elliot Prestage joined at just 16, and is working in the Bakeware department, and completing his apprenticeship with Burnley College. Harrison Julienne is the latest apprentice in the Production department. Other apprentices who have become valued members of the team are William Moat, in the Toolmaking department and Izaak Holden, in Production.

What More UK now employs more than staff across their sites in Padiham and Altham, and is always looking for first class staff in traditional areas of engineering such as Toolmaking and Press Operation. The engineers work on brand new machines installed as part of their recent building expansion – a £20m investment programme which included 13 new injection moulding machines.

Directors at What More UK see their apprenticeship programme as an ongoing process. Company director Tony Grimshaw, explained: “Apprenticeships are a great way to keep and maintain the knowledge and skills base of the company. We’re happy to invest our time training people up, as we will always need engineers. It’s a great career to get into and I wish them all the best!”

Heather Howarth, HR manager, added “Our apprentices are really well supported by the team and get some excellent training that will last them a lifetime. I’d encourage anyone to apply. What More really invest in their people, including management and leadership training. I hope to be recruiting to support our growth for many years to come!”

What More UK manufactures storage boxes and housewares of all kinds under the Wham brand including bakeware, around-the-sink items, products for the home laundry, utility room, and items for the garden like planters and troughs. What More’s products are all made in East Lancashire and are sold in 75 countries around the world.