The Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers are the proud sponsors of the annual competition. This organisation came about when tin craftsmen (members of the Ironmongers’ Company) and wire workers (members of the Girdlers’ Company) were incorporated by decree of a Royal Charter in the year 1670. As most stainless steel wire and tin plate work is now carried out mechanically, the company has ceased to be a craftsmans’ organisation and now supports the metals industry through generous grants. 

 

This year, the competition features two main awards (worth in excess of £1,200 each) and several runner-up prizes. The first main prize is the Career Development Award, and is designed to reward the person who has shown the most commitment to their career progression as well as personal development. This prize is joined by the Craft Skills Award, which will recognise the continued successful achievement of practical engineering and manufacturing projects as well as a superb level of general metallurgy skills and knowledge. 

 

Any apprentice working in a company recognised by Metals Forum trade associations can enter the competition and should submit a letter of support from their employer along with a completed application form for consideration. Shortlisted applicants will be called for interview shortly after the closing date for applications and the winners will receive their prizes at a special Court Dinner hosted by the Worshipful Company of Tin Plate Workers alias Wire Workers at the stunning Painters’ Hall in Central London in July 2015. 

 

As such an ubiquitous, versatile and useful metal, stainless steel will feature heavily in the competition. Whether using stainless steel welding wire or aluzinc materials, metal jacketing or stainless steel blanks, all metal workers must have a strong, up-to-date working knowledge of the intricacies of working with this valuable resource. 

 

You can find out more about entry requirements and download an application form by visiting http://­www.­bssa.­org.­uk/­newssummary.­php, on which page BS Stainless also feature with an article about our new stainless steel insulation solutions - SoundMet and CoolMet. 

 

Good luck from BS Stainless to all entrants of the 2015 Metals Industry Apprentice of the Year Competition!