Talented young rugby player Max Lucas is no stranger to rolling up his sleeves and getting stuck in – and that’s exactly what he plans to do in his fledgling engineering career.
The 16-year-old is the fifth apprentice to join the Derbyshire-based Carfulan Group as part of its highly successful partnership with the JCB Academy.
Max will spend one day a week at the Carfulan Group’s Innovation Centre over the next 12 months, increasing to four days in the second year of his qualification as he develops his formal knowledge and skills, with the goal of obtaining a Level 3 Engineering Diploma.
An additional bolt-on year following his initial training will give Max – who lives in Chellaston near Derby and will train under Carfulan’s 3D-printing experts at SYS Systems – an NVQ qualification.
The teenager said: “I’ve always wanted to have a job based around engineering so to have this chance is brilliant.
“It’s been really good here so far. I’ve been getting used to everything, working on the machines and learning something new all the time.
“I’ve spoken to the other apprentices here who’ve followed the same route as me and they all speak very highly of it, so that’s been really helpful.”
Based in Foston, the Carfulan Group aims to give its apprentices a unique insight into the world-leading technology it supplies to designers and manufacturers to enable them to make top-quality products with maximum efficiency.
This is done across five divisions – OGP UK, SYS Systems, ZOLLER UK, VICIVISION UK and XJ3D – covering multi-sensor metrology, additive manufacturing, tool pre-setting and inspection and turned-part measurement solutions for some of the world’s leading brands.
Working alongside experienced professionals, apprentices delve into the fields of health and safety, advanced mathematics, computer-aided design (CAD) software techniques and machine installation and calibration.
This is delivered through both practical and theoretical methods, ensuring apprentices develop the wide range of skills they will need to succeed in an engineering career.
Carfulan Group Managing Director Chris Fulton said: “Our partnership with the JCB Academy demonstrates our passion for investing in the talented young people that will shape the future of the engineering and manufacturing industries.
“Every single one of our apprentices makes a vital contribution to the Carfulan Group team and it’s no different with Max. We’re delighted to have him on board and ultimately hope he’ll enjoy a long, rewarding career with us.”
Outside of work and studying Max plays rugby for Melbourne RFC and is a passionate follower of Derby County Football Club.