Allan Cook

A non-executive director of Marshall of Cambridge has been honoured for his “outstanding” contribution to apprenticeships in the manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Allan Cook, who is also chairman of Semta – the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies – has received an honorary apprenticeship from the Apprenticeship Ambassadors Network.

“This is a tremendous honour,” said Mr Cook. “Apprenticeships are crucial to the success of our sector and to the economic recovery of UK plc.

“We must ensure that the right skills are in place to help businesses take advantage of growth opportunities and improve their profitability. Those of us who employ apprentices realise the value that they bring to our business.

“We need to encourage more employers to offer apprenticeships simply because they are a cost-effective and practical way to build the skilled workforces that are essential for future growth and development.”

Marshall of Cambridge has trained apprentices on a continuous and unbroken basis since 1921. The company spearheaded the modern apprenticeship scheme for the aerospace industry in conjunction with Semta.

Chairman Sir Michael Marshall said: “Marshall of Cambridge is very proud of its training heritage for apprentices over the last 90 years and we are delighted that Allan Cook has been recognised by Semta in this way.”