Invest in people

Howells Patent Glazing has long recognised that the fenestration industry has an ageing workforce and has sought to head this off by investing in people, training and upskilling its staff. Glass Times talks to one of Howells’ new engineering apprentices who joined the company at the start of the year.

Patent glazing and rooflight manufacturer, Howells Patent Glazing, has put over 80% of its workforce through adult apprenticeships with all achieving Level 2, and some, Level 3 and beyond.

This cultural shift has been a driver for change for staff and new, younger employees recruited through its apprenticeship scheme.

Jennifer joined Howells in January 2022 as an engineering apprentice. This month she will begin her Level 3 (Engineering Technician) apprentice course at James Watt College in Great Barr. This requires just one study day each week, the rest of the time she will continue to gain practical experience at Howells.

“I left Walsall College in the summer of 2020 seeking an apprenticeship, having completed my Level 2 vocational qualification,” said Jennifer. “Due to Covid, apprentice opportunities were few and far between so I took a job as a care worker. While I enjoyed this, it wasn’t part of my career plan and I continued to look for an apprenticeship. It was 18 months before I found the position at Howells.”

Engineering apprentice

“While I had not heard of the fenestration industry, I understood that Howells could offer a variety of opportunities,” she continued. “Engineering is such a broad sector with so many areas to explore, but I prefer the more practical disciplines like mechanical engineering. Howells provides plenty of options in this area. A lot of what’s in the factory is mechanical so I can learn on the job.

“Everyone is extremely helpful, answering my questions and offering support. With my college course starting this month my studies will slot right into my day job,” said Jennifer. “My practical experience means I have an advantage when it comes to understanding the details. A lot of companies use the same types of machinery and CAD software so it will be easy to relate the coursework to my job.

Learning on the job

Jennifer’s working day begins at 6.00am or 8.00am depending on her shift pattern. First task of the day is to collect the paperwork from the shopfloor manager. This includes all the necessary details and CAD drawings for each job.

“At the moment I’m working on bars for the canopies,” continued Jennifer. “I go through the pack with my supervisor before I get stuck in, to make sure I understand what I’m doing and appreciate why and how certain items are being used. We often use the display area to explain and identify the parts.

“This is helpful as I can see what the final product will look like,” she said. “Then I go away and get on with it, but I know the guys are there if I need them! Once I’ve completed a job it’s checked over and we talk it through. I can ask questions and they can make sure that I haven’t missed anything.”

Life lessons

“I have found relating the CAD drawings to the parts most useful. My understanding of CAD has really improved while I have been at Howells, and this will help in Level 3,” added Jennifer.

“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned while being here is to be more confident. I had to take time off for an operation recently and when I came back to work, I realised just how much I know. I’ve picked up such a lot and I am proud of that.

“In the future I wish to further my education, focussing on mechanical engineering maybe,” she concluded. “In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy my apprenticeship. I love the fact that it combines experience with education, and I am very grateful to Howells for providing me with both. They bring my studies to life.”