Coventry Company Goes Above and Beyond to Accommodate Injured Apprentice

A company who went ‘above and beyond’ to accommodate an apprentice who was badly injured days before joining the business have been recognised for their commitment with an award.

Progressive engineering company Powergrade, based at Curriers Close, Coventry, was set to welcome Coventry College apprentice Tom Morrison when the 16-year-old suffered third degree burns and was airlifted to hospital after an horrific accident.

Despite the injury, Tom made sure that his new boss Richard Kantor was made aware of the problem and visited Powergrade to explain the situation as soon as he could.

While Tom was in hospital, the company sent a get well hamper of chocolate and told him that his apprenticeship would still be there when he fully recovered.

Powergrade, a family-run business that works on design, precision machining, tool making, pressing, fabrication and assembly projects for clients including, Jaguar Land Rover, Aston Martin, and Michelin has now received a Star Award from Coventry College after being named SME Employer of the Year, with Tom settling in to his four-year apprenticeship.

Tom said: “I didn’t want Powergrade to think that I was making up an excuse so I made sure that they were aware of what had happened to me as soon as I could.

“I was really looking forward to starting here after my interview and was worried when the accident happened it might affect things.

“The fact they had wished me well with my recovery and sent me a hamper was really heart-warming. It showed they care about people and that I wasn’t just somebody they had interviewed and would look to replace.

“It made me feel part of the family and that is the way it has stayed since, everyone here gets on really well and I am enjoying my apprenticeship very much.”

The strong impression left on the Managing Director by brave Tom led to Powergrade taking on another Coventry College apprentice, 23-year-old Philip Callinan.

The company also made sure adjustments in the workplace were made for Tom ahead of his arrival, including dispensaries for non-abrasive soap to protect his skin.

Richard said: “It has really worked well for us, we wanted to bring in apprentices for some time but we wanted to make sure the business was totally ready first to give them everything that they need.

“Tom has been fantastic, as has Philip, we are very happy to have them on board.

“Their success has made me look at our recruitment policy and we want to focus on getting more hungry, bright young talent working here going forward.”

Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub senior account manager Phil Peak has worked with Powergrade in the past to help the business access funding and crucial business assistance.

He said: “We have worked with Powergrade on a number of projects over the years and I am pleased to see their two apprentices have had such a successful start.

“They are a great company to work for and they have clearly made Tom feel like part of the family.

“The business itself is really benefiting from having young and enthusiastic staff on board and I think there are plenty of employers in the region who could do the same.”

The commitment shown by both sides to make the apprenticeship work has been praised as a ‘perfect example’ for other companies to follow.

Clare Hatton, Coventry College Assistant Principal for Employer Engagement and Growth, said: “We really think that both Powergrade and Tom went above and beyond what would be expected of them.

“The initiative and strength shown by Tom helped leave a lasting impression and the support offered by Powergrade shows they are an employer who really care.

“They are a worthy recipient of our Star Award for SME Employer of the Year and I think this pairing is a perfect example of how apprentices can benefit everyone involved.”

Picture caption: l/r – Steve Napier, Phil Peak, Clare Hatton, Philip Callanan, Tom Morrison, Richard Kantor, Jessica Ball