International engineering firm Nylacast, which employs more than 400 people in Leicester, has joined forces with the city’s high flying basketball team Leicester Riders to train the players of tomorrow.
Nylacast’s own successful apprenticeship programme is a crucial part of the business plan with demand for its engineered polymer solutions driving spectacular growth in recent years.
The company is sponsoring the Riders’ academy, delivered in partnership with Charnwood Community College, which provides young people with the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence endorsed by England Basketball, combining sporting excellence and academic achievement.
Nylacast’s support was marked with the presentation of a framed team shirt at the Leicester Riders end of season awards dinner on Friday the 8th of May.
The Riders club captain Barry Lamble and Harrison Gamble met with Nylacast apprentices at one of the company’s manufacturing sites in Thurmaston, Leicester, where they observed and shadowed the young engineers in a typical training session on CNC programming and machining in the Nylacast training academy.
Barry Lamble who plays Centre said: “I think apprenticeships are great as we always need more skilled workers to fill the spaces of workers when they retire. Learning on the job is a good way to make money and keeps youngsters off the streets, they are also a great way to keep learning alive!”
“I have really enjoyed today especially the computer programming. Nylacast is a great British company and it is brilliant to have them supporting us.”
Nylacast Marketing Manager Junaid Makda said: “As a company that believes in supporting local people, we were attracted by the Riders’ commitment to working in the community, and like them, we are firm believers in developing talent. Like the Riders, we encourage our people to reach further and higher.”
The Riders, recent BBL Trophy Finalists, are the latest in a number of teams and individuals to have received support from Nylacast in sporting endeavours ranging from motorsport to white water rafting.