Grantham apprentice impresses with creative skills

Nineteen-year-old Kai Newby’s career in Engineering looks bright as he continues to impress employer DLS Plastics.

Having originally joined DLS Plastics on a very temporary basis for his work experience placement back in December 2017, Kai then came back to the company as a Tool Making Apprentice seven months later and is now in the second year of his apprenticeship. What was originally thought to be an insight into the industry as a weeks’ worth of engineering work experience turned into a career path as he impressed his colleagues with his skills and knowledge.

Over one year on from the start of his relationship with DLS Plastics, Kai is continuing to impress having taken on extra training as a first aider within the company and is due to take on fire marshal training later this year. Alongside this impressive initiative, Kai also took the lead in designing and crafting a trophy to be presented to school children alongside the company’s Managing Director George Brewis. Assistant Operations Manager at DLS Plastics, Dean Lawson comments: “he presented his own design to school children when he is not long out of education himself; he’s fast-becoming a valuable addition to our team.

“Kai has settled in really well and is learning new skills virtually on a daily basis,” Dean continued.

InvestSK approached the company for a trophy as part of the Bridge’s project which recently took place in September. Following this, Kai designed a trophy imitating the Leonardo Da-Vinci bridge which he then presented to pupils at Stamford Endowed Schools.

Kai comments on his progress within the industry: “As part of the apprenticeship scheme I have secured employment and I am learning a valuable trade. It has been a great opportunity for me to get involved with various projects including the Bridge Festival and presenting the winning Trophy to Stamford Endowed Schools.”

DLS Plastics has great links with the college and is also a part of Engineered in Grantham; a forum for local Engineering companies to come together and raise the profile of Engineering within the local community.