The Paragon Electronics Group continues to develop its own electronics manufacturing professionals

The Paragon Electronics Group is continuing with its commitment to develop its own electronics manufacturing professionals by investing in two schemes to ensure young engineers are attracted to a career in this sector.

JJS electronics Ltd, a Paragon Electronics Group Company, launched its Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme in September 2011 with four high calibre apprentices joining the company. Alongside this Paragon Electronic components Plc has also recruited for its long standing graduate recruitment programme. Now in its thirteenth year, the Paragon graduate programme has been very successful and has enabled many of the scheme’s participants to progress their careers further within the company.

The JJS Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, supported by local further education establishments, SEMTA and the National Apprenticeship Service, is very much part of JJS’ commitment to investing in the future generation of electronics and manufacturing professionals. With the number of engineers entering the industry in decline over the past five years, the scheme is aimed at those interested in pursuing a career in the electronics industry and providing an opportunity for them to gain vital hands-on experience with an established organisation. The four apprentices who recently joined the JJS scheme are already benefiting from the wealth of experience available within this well respected electronics manufacturing services organisation and are eager to pursue a career in the electronics industry.

Russell Poppe, Director Group Engineering observed “During the first year of the scheme the new recruits will spend time in a number of areas across the business including our electronics and electromechanical assembly areas plus engineering, QA, wiring, test, customer service, commercial and logistics departments. This allows them to gain an awareness of various aspects of the business and begin to see where their passion within the electronics industry lies. The second year then allows these talented individuals the opportunity to specialise in the particular area that interests them most. As JJS continues to expand, we are confident that we will be able to accommodate the interests and newly developed skills the apprentices acquire, therefore helping them to achieve their aspirations, as well as meeting the specific business needs of the company.”

The Paragon Electronics Group feels that greater focus on providing training for students leaving higher education is imperative to ensure the electronics industry continues to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for long term success and sustainability. This is why Paragon also runs a graduate recruitment programme which celebrated its thirteenth year in October by welcoming two new graduate employees into the company. The investment in nurturing these talented future electronics professionals is something that the Paragon Electronics Group feels passionately about pursuing and is why both the JJS Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme and Paragon Electronics graduate recruitment programme are valued so highly within the organisation.

John Mayes, Group Managing Director, commented on the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, “We have found the apprentices to be tremendously bright and enthusiastic. They are learning new skills with surprising speed and diligence and are already contributing ideas to the teams they work with. They bring so much energy and enthusiasm, which is great to witness. We truly feel privileged to be able to help develop the next generation of skilled staff and help them integrate into the company such that they can help to support our business growth over the coming years. We believe that schemes such as JJS’ Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme and Paragon Electronics’ graduate recruitment scheme are absolutely necessary in order to address the ongoing industry-wide difficulties in recruiting experienced staff.”

John concluded “we are extremely proud of both of th