Chinn Limited, part of the Nasmyth Group since 2008, is proud of their substantial history as an employer of local people in the Coventry area. The Company is committed and highly dedicated to working with and investing in local people of all ages but especially to developing the skills of the next generation of engineers.
Chinn have a long history of success in bespoke, complex, fabrication and the machining of exotic materials with core competencies and capabilities in structural work, pressure vessels and industrial gas turbines for the Aerospace, Defence, Marine and Energy market sectors. They attribute their success to a highly-skilled local talent pool and good relationships with local employees. Looking to the future; Chinn have executed a number of plans to stimulate an interest in their sector amongst the younger members of their local community.
The aspiration to inspire the next generation of Coventry engineers has been reflected in the work experience placements that Chinn held recently. Three youngsters from local Coventry schools and colleges were given the opportunity to experience all aspects of the business from Marketing, Sales and Finance to Quality, Manufacturing and Engineering. The week long placements allowed as much ‘hands-on’, practical experience as possible. The placements were such a success and so well received by the youngsters that Chinn Limited are now looking to provide more placements and to do so on a regular annual basis.
Equally, Nasmyth Group and Chinn Limited are both dedicated to promoting the acquisition and development of engineering skills amongst the next generation. This was firmly demonstrated at the Farnborough Airshow; ‘Futures Day’. This day featured a number of events aimed at the younger airshow visitors and was dedicated to interesting and attracting the next generation of Aerospace and Space engineers. The activity was organised by A.D.S - the Premier Trade Organisation for all companies operating in the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries, with the Nasmyth Group providing sponsorship for the events and projects.
Chinn Limited is strongly committed to providing long-term career based employment opportunities for school leavers. Last year saw Chinn able to fulfil this aspiration with their first Engineering Apprenticeship. Carl Henney has now successfully completed his first year with the company and is training to become a qualified CNC Miller operating one of the Company’s modern machine tools.
Increased confidence in the improving economic climate, and the continued success of the company enabled a further four Apprentice positions to be made available, starting in September 2012. Mac Fletcher, Business Development Manager of Chinn Limited, said “Engineering can lack the magnetic attraction of other sectors; however we have a strong desire to demonstrate that the precision engineering sector can provide our younger generation employment with a long-term future. Selection standards are high but this does not mean a young person needs to be a graduate to gain entry into the industry and enjoy great opportunities.” Interviewing has already begun for this year’s placements and Chinn Limited are pleased with the high calibre of the entrants. Next year’s opportunity to apply is not too far away.
To help ensure the future success of the Company, Chinn Limited also identified a need to diversify their approach. The Company has also recruited a Graduate from Aston University on a medium-term work experience placement. The graduate is supporting and working within the Marketing team in their exploration of new sectors and opportunities and assisting with research to support detailed strategic planning. Chinn Limited has found the research skills of the graduate invaluable and the Graduate Yulong Zheng has found the practical experience in applying those skills in a real working environment exciting and productive. Mac Fletcher commented, “In this instance we needed to engage with someone who is used to carrying out market research in an unbiased way. It is a credit to the Graduate and to his University that he was able to bring both quality of work and such an objective view.” The Company is now recruiting a permanent employee in market research and the marketing area.
These exciting new developments focussed on our younger people along with the continued investment in the Company’s training and employee development at all levels will help to ensure that Chinn Limited continues to strengthen their position in the worldwide Aerospace, Military, Defence and Medical sectors and they will continue to invest in and develop individuals from the local Coventry community.
The Chinn team look forward to welcoming all of their new recruits.