HSM Apprentice wins MMMA Apprentice of the Year Award

Havant Sheet Metal welding and fabrication apprentice Xavier Cook won the Apprentice of the Year Award at the 2024 MMMA Gala Awards last month. It was a remarkable evening that saw the industry come together to celebrate The Metal Forming Machinery Makers’ Association’s (MMMA) 75th anniversary.

The evening allowed guests to reflect on seven and half decades of innovation, progress and growth in the sheet metal, metal forming and fabrication industry. HSM took up MMMA membership earlier this year.

HSM’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Carl Benfield, and Estimator, Ryan Broadbridge attended the awards evening, with Carl accepting the award on Xavier's behalf. Back at work, Managing Director, Paul Rabbetts, presented the award to Xavier, celebrating his exceptional talent.

The Awards, which took place on 1 November at The Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill near Dudley, kicked off at 6.30pm, with dinner served at 7pm. The award presentations commenced at 8.15pm and guests enjoyed an after-dinner speech from Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards, Britain’s first Olympic ski jumper. From 9pm there was music from Hot 2 Trot.

The evenings award categories included:

• Apprentice of the Year

• Subcontractor of the Year

• Net Zero Contributor of the Year

Xavier joined HSM in April 2023, and is currently completing his welding and fabrication apprenticeship with PETA Training. Xavier has embraced the challenge of working at HSM; he quite often has to overcome challenges and work on his own initiative, which he has excelled at. 

Xavier was nominated for the award by the management team at HSM, with collaboration from PETA Apprenticeship Instructor, Richard Harvey. The nomination submission included information on what made Xavier stand out as an apprentice, what skills and successes he has achieved, how his new skills have been applied in the working environment, and testimonials from teachers/course leaders endorsing his skills and achievement.

Richard said: “I had the pleasure of meeting Xavier as one of my first groups to teach when I joined PETA. He was respectful and attentive as well as being a cheeky rogue. He took all tasks head on, his written work was to a very high standard, and his practical work was even better. He has good attention to detail and has no problem taking on the peer teaching role, helping his peers whenever he was asked to.”

Colleague Mark Searle has been a key mentor to Xavier, assisting him in his development journey. The apprenticeship has enabled Xavier to become skilled in welding and fabrication, and he is now considering a Level 3 apprenticeship course as well as the CSWIP suite of welding inspection certifications.

Xavier said: “The team at HSM has been so supportive of my journey and I feel a valued member of the team. They have said they will support any training I wish to pursue, which is great.”

Operations Manager Tony Molloy added: “Xavier is a quick learner and has become a key member of the team. We look forward to supporting him on his journey.”  

HSM has been committed to apprenticeship training for many years. We currently have three apprentices on-staff and will look to take on another next year.

Learn more about HSM, meet our team, and explore the range of sheet metal services we provide.

 

 

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