Your feedback is the greatest recognition.

The grant has helped me as it has allowed me to purchase my own tools and my own tool box so that I can work more efficiently. I have also put some of the money aside to save up for a car and lessons so I can pass exam as soon as I come of age.

Apprenticeships are a great start to a working world for the young people. With such hands-on approach and working alongside experienced engineers, it's a fantastic way for them to develop necessary skills for the future. The grant from PPMA gave our apprentice a positive kick and opportunity to invest a little in himself at the start of the employment.

When I received my grant, it gave me a real boost!” says Kieran Haith, mechanical engineering apprentice at vertical form fill and seal packaging machine manufacturer GIC. “I will be using the money to buy a car, which will make it a lot easier for me to get to work. Without the grant, I would have to continue getting a lift or using the bus, which can take me up to an hour to get to work.

GIC has been designing and manufacturing class-leading vertical form fill and seal machines for over 30 years, and we’ve been committed to the apprenticeship route into work for as long as I can remember. At the moment we have three apprentices, all of who have received the grant from PPMA BEST. The money has made an enormous difference to all three apprentices. It gives them a real boost and introduces them to our Trade Association the PPMA, which I think is important.

The PPMA BEST grant helped me fund my toolbox which is vital to the work that I am doing.