The Value Of #Apprenticeships – A Foundation For Success #NAW2019

Amarjit Binji, managing director of Corby-based joinery firm AJB Group, started his career as a woodworking apprentice, which gave him the drive and enthusiasm to set up his own successful company.

Exactly 20 years on from its establishment his company now employs over 40 skilled staff and manufactures wood building products for some of the UK’s most prestigious construction projects, such as London’s Shard and Battersea Power Station.

Apprenticeships – a foundation for success

“Apprentices are absolutely vital for the future of our industry, and we desperately need people who have a drive and passion for woodworking,” says Amarjit, who is better placed than most to appreciate the power of apprenticeships.

Having been one himself after leaving school at 16, the opportunity enabled him to set up a successful company which now relies on young, enthusiastic and committed people entering the sector.

After leaving school, Amarjit worked with two different joinery firms as an apprentice, each time encountering bad luck as the firms went out of business.

The experience of twice losing a job led him to revaluate things and, in collaboration with one of his former colleagues, he decided to set up his first business. “We invested in a load of new machinery and we started going out and making connections in the local area to fill our order books.

We were working hard, and it was a great experience, but we weren’t making any money so we both went our separate ways. I learned a huge deal throughout the process, and it made me realise that this was my calling.”

From apprentice to leader – inspiring the next generation

In 1999, Amarjit went it alone and set up AJB Woodworking Limited, now called AJB Group, which has gone from strength to strength in its 20-year history. The company runs a dedicated apprenticeship programme – supporting its apprentices though professional qualifications and on-the-job-training.

“The majority of apprentices come in as real novices,” Amarjit said. “We take them on for an initial six months and at the end of that process we evaluate things, and decide whether its right for them and right for us to continue on into our official development programme. Whether or not apprentices are successful usually comes down to attitude – we can teach them the technical skills, but the desire and commitment needs to be there, and that’s what we’re looking for.”

For Amarjit, finding the right people is an increasing challenge, but one he feels the woodworking industry can overcome by shouting louder about what it has to offer.

“There is a perception that the woodworking industry is low-skilled and poorly-paid, which isn’t the case at all. People don’t realise that most of the manufacturing techniques and design programmes we use are right at the cutting-edge of technology. In terms of AJB, we’re investing significantly in the very latest equipment to produce industry-leading products that are being used in major build projects in the City of London and right across the UK.

“The roles are incredibly varied as well – everyone is driven by a passion for woodworking but there are specialist roles in computer-aided design, production management, sales and marketing, and business administration. With us, there’s a real opportunity for people to be a part of something really big, and if we see the right attitude we’re prepared to invest in developing talent and support people to work their way up and progress.”

He added: “We have very high standards here when it comes to manufacturing quality, but also in the way we operate. I say to my staff that I want to be able to eat my dinner off the floor, because an organised workspace says so much about the professional approach which we want to convey to our customers.”

As well as the quality of his company’s manufacturing and the appearance of the workplace, Amarjit is also driven by business longevity, and hopes his family will carry the torch when he no longer plays such an active role in the day-to-day running of the company.

“I hope what I’ve created is something that my kids will want to be a part of, and if they do, they will go though the same route that any other apprentice would – starting at the bottom and working their way up based on merit. I want this business to continue to be successful for years to come, and for that to happen its vital we find and retain people. They need to be passionate about working with wood and the amazing things we can create from this natural, sustainable product.”

Boosting skills in the woodworking sector

This is just one story from a British Woodworking Federation (BWF) member sharing how an apprenticeship is a stepping stone into a long and successful career. Woodworking is an extremely diverse and talented sector with design, production and management roles, as well as office-based marketing and sales roles, so it’s unsurprising that the sector has one of the highest ratios of apprentices in the economy.

Helen Hewitt, CEO of the BWF said,

“Our members lead the way and offer leading apprenticeship schemes that support the development of the next generation of talented woodworkers. Firms such as AJB Group are essential to the growth and progression of our sector, and it’s great Amarjit’s passion for the industry and apprenticeships can help today’s students on their journey into our enthusiastic and skilled sector.”