A WORCESTER tool manufacturer has been recognised for helping work experience students.

Yamazaki Mazak, based in Badgeworth Drive, was shortlisted in the employer of the year category, when it was whittled down to top four categories from a list of 24.

The firm is dedicated to developing the future skills of the workforce and investing in students, offering the silver award 'industrial cadets' package, in which students must complete a minimum of 30 hours work experience.

Their time at Mazak is filled with a variety of challenges and activities – such as site visits, hands on problem-solving and critical thinking activities, the aim of which is to equip the students with the skills needed to become engineers.

Throughout the year, Mazak works with six to eight schools, taking on around 30 to 40 students in total through the scheme. Two past cadets have been recruited as full time employed apprentices at Mazak, and a further six industrial cadets have applied for the 2017 intake.

David Barnett, learning and development manager at Mazak, added: “Our involvement in the industrial cadets enables us to have a direct impact on the career choices of young people.

"We aim to give each cadet hands on experience of working in manufacturing, something they wouldn’t gain from being sat behind a desk.

“To have our commitment recognised at these awards, the first of its kind, was an honour, and we look forward to continuing to work with Industrial Cadets.”

Other shortlisted companies in the category include Nissan, Airbus and Akzo Nobel.