A leading manufacturer of aerospace components has praised the benefits apprenticeship training has brought to its industry.

Precision Aerospace Component Engineering (Pace), based in Blackwell Drive, Braintree, created a new upskilling vision for its workforce around 18-months ago focusing on apprenticeships in Business Improvement Techniques (BIT).

Since then, the company has designed a bespoke training programme with Skills Training UK, leading to huge workplace improvements.

Ian Binns, commercial director at Pace, said: "The level of skills growth achieved by Skills Training UK at Pace has assisted in promoting dramatic workplace process improvements, cultural changes, increased productivity and securing the long-term business future.”

Specific projects have included cellular working stations, standardisation of operations and improved manufacturing processes, and staff are now identified for future progression at early stages.

George O’Connor, acting team leader at Pace, said: “The standardised work stations, new visual management systems, and new quality control measures mean we are now producing and despatching products more efficiently."

The entire workforce at Pace is eventually set to undergo BIT training and several members of staff have already moved on to the further stages of the training.