QMS supports National Apprenticeship Week Skills for Life

Quarry Manufacturing & Supplies (QMS) is backing National Apprenticeship Week, which aims to highlight the work done by employers and apprentices across the country...

The theme of this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, Skills for Life, reflects the long term value apprenticeships bring to individuals and industry. QMS believes apprenticeships are a key strategic priority for the future of the business, enabling the company to train people in the specific technical skills required to address both local and industry wide shortages.

The young apprentices will go on to support QMS activities in the mining and quarrying sector across the UK and around the world. Ashley Oakey, service manager at QMS, said of the initiative: “I’m delighted to have watched recruits from previous years progress so well. We’ve seen them learn, develop, and grow, which makes us incredibly proud.” Having started his own career as an apprentice, Ashley is passionate about encouraging others to follow the same route into engineering. “Our apprentices have developed really well. They are hardworking, ambitious, and dedicated. It has been a pleasure to lend my experience to them and guide them throughout their course.”

“We are committed to supporting talented, ambitious apprentices and helping them to thrive in their careers. It is incredibly important, for both our company and the broader UK economy, that young people consider the benefits of apprenticeships. Apprenticeships allow individuals to earn a salary while gaining hands on, industry specific experience and nationally recognised qualifications. They bridge the skills gap by combining classroom learning with on-the-job training, enhancing employability and offering a direct, debt free route into a rewarding career,” added Jonathan Beck, managing director of Quarry Manufacturing & Supplies.

In 2026, QMS aims to recruit a record number of apprentices across three core areas:

• Welding & Fabrication
• Machining

Assembly and Service Departments