Blazing the awards trail
Daniel Millington is a true trailblazer at Hydraforce Hydraulics Ltd.
He’s a won a National Apprenticeship Award for Rolls Royce Advanced Apprentice of the Year, the British Education Award for England’s Vocational Student of 2019 and been a runner-up award for EEF (Engineering Employer’s Federation) Apprentice of the Year for the Midlands.
“My apprenticeship and education has been a fantastic journey and has allowed me to accomplish some fantastic things, it’s the best decision I ever made!” he said.
He works within the manufacturing engineering department at Hydraforce Hydraulics Ltd, a Birmingham based manufacturer of hydraulic valves and manifolds. His role involves transferring and introducing new products for the business. This has led to him setting up new production lines, which has in turn created more jobs for the local area.
“My engineering apprenticeship has not only got me into a field I’m passionate about, it’s also developed me on a personal level,” Daniel continued. “I’m gaining a degree level qualification, invaluable hands on experience and work within a vital role which has enabled me to travel overseas on projects.”
As part of his apprenticeship, Daniel spent a day a week at BMet. This led to him gaining a Level 2 performing engineering operations, followed by Level 3 manufacturing engineering qualifications. He has since progressed on to a foundation degree in manufacturing engineering.
Commenting on his success, Christine Tolley, Head of Human Resources at HydraForce, said: “We are incredibly proud of Daniel. Since he joined as an apprentice, he has worked incredibly hard and been extremely diligent both in his academic studies and his work, which has culminated in his success. Daniel is an example to people of all ages of the value of both apprenticeships and life- long study and we are confident he will continue with his development and become a role model to others in the business.”
HydraForce offers an engineering advanced apprenticeship scheme, which began back in 2004 and sees apprentices study at college full-time for their first year. In their second year, apprentices gain valuable work experience on-site at HydraForce in different areas of the business, with a day release to college to continue their studies. The apprenticeship scheme gives the candidates the opportunity to achieve their BTEC, with the company sponsoring them to go onto either HNC or Foundation degree. In 2018, the company took the decision to broaden its apprenticeship scheme and now offers management apprenticeships to its employees as part of their professional development.