Barry company Dow Silicones shortlisted for national award

Dow Silicones UK Limited has been shortlisted for the Large Employer of the Year award at Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021.

Dow has been producing silicone intermediate products in Barry since 1952 and have been named as one of the largest material science companies in the world. They have been providing inclusive programmes to give apprentices the work-based skills to produce the next generation of engineers.

They work with a number of learning providers, including Cardiff and the Vale College and offer five pathways at levels two and three and another three Higher Apprenticeships pathways.

Currently, they have 40 apprentices on site.

Dow have retained 95 per cent of its apprentices over the past 10 years, with many moving into supervisory and management positions. They also offer degree apprenticeships in partnership with Trinity St David’s University and University of South Wales.

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Alex Laurie, site learning leader at Dow, said: “Bringing apprentices with us on the journey of expansion allows us to prepare for development and growth, with the knowledge that we will have the workforce with the right skillset.”

Dow’s maintenance apprentice team are designing, building and delivering a working equipment proves for the college to use as a learning aid on campus.

Cardiff and Vale College’s delivery manager, Stuart Woodward, said: “We are now delivering a bespoke hand skills course which was developed through liaison with Dow.

“It is essential that this example is shared across college as it ensures that what we are delivering meets the needs of Dow as a company and, of course, their training requirements over and above the core delivery.”

The Apprenticeship Awards Cymru winners will be revealed in a virtual ceremony on April 29.

They are jointly organised by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales. The awards are sponsored by Openreach.

Minister for the economy, transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said: “I’d like to congratulate all the finalists announced for this year’s event and wish each and every one all the best for the future.”