A RADNORSHIRE company who design specialist products for the aerospace and automotive industry are up for an award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021 being held next month.

Rhayader-based Compact Orbital Gears, which boasts a workforce of 43 – many of whom started out on apprenticeships schemes – has been shortlisted for the Small Employer of the Year award at the prestigious event.

The winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony on April 29. The awards showcase businesses and individuals who have excelled on the Welsh Government’s apprenticeship and traineeship programmes and gone the extra mile to achieve success during a global pandemic.

The company, which has a workforce of 43 based in Rhayader, designs, manufactures and develops bespoke gear solutions for aerospace, automotive and clean energy customers.

Established in the 1960s, developing a multi-skilled and flexible workforce has helped the company become a leading name in specialist gear transmissions over the last 50 years.

Compact Orbital Gears is proud of its highly skilled workforce, family ethos and long history of recruiting apprentices from within Mid Wales.

The apprenticeship programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.

The Elan Valley firm currently has three apprentices and five other young employees working towards further education qualifications.

Tricia Evans, Compact Orbital Gears’ financial controller, said: “Most of our employees started with the company on an apprenticeship programme, one having recently completed 50 years of service with us.

“It is essential to the future success of our company that we develop and encourage new recruits, as they bring with them new learning and fresh ideas.”

A focus on growing its own pool of skilled engineers is paying off for Compact Orbital Gears at a time when there is a UK shortage. Its apprenticeship programme provides technical training, supported by in-house specialist instruction with experienced employees sharing their skills and knowledge with apprentices.

Providing opportunities for development ensures that staff turnover is very low and the company’s long-term aim is to introduce state-of-the art, computer aided machinery which is ideally suited to apprentice development.

Believing that organic growth is key to the success of the business, the company also provides work placements for university graduates and budding engineers in local schools.

Economy minister Ken Skates said: “Our Apprenticeship and Traineeship Programmes are helping people fulfil their career ambitions and I’m delighted we have already reached our target of creating 100,000 apprenticeships in this Senedd term.

“Apprenticeship Awards Cymru provides an excellent opportunity to celebrate and showcase the achievements of all involved, from star apprentices to skilled learning providers.

“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.”