From Apprentice To Manager – Valeport nurtures home grown talent
Valeport is celebrating the journey of Reece Mottershead, our newly appointed Production Manager, who has gone from Electronics Assembly Apprentice to the manager of one of our busiest departments.
Reece heads up Valeport’s Production Department, a department that to date he has committed his entire career to.
Joining us in 2013 as an Electronics Assembly Apprentice, Reece progressed to an Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture and after two years had completed his Apprenticeship to become a Valeport Production Technician. Reece was keen to make his mark on the Production Department and alongside his role assembling, testing and calibrating Valeport instruments he continued to train for a further two years to complete a Higher National Certificate.
Reece took some time out to go travelling before returning to his role at Valeport as a Production Technician in 2018. Just six months later, Reece was promoted to the role of Product Assembly Manager with responsibility for overseeing the assembly of all Valeport products.
Progress hasn’t slowed for Reece, or for Valeport, and in January 2022, Reece became the new Valeport Production Manager.
Now Reece leads a team of 34 and is responsible for all production functions at the Valeport and Valeport Water businesses, which includes the PCB Test Department, the Machine Shop and the Product Assembly Department.
“I have always been encouraged in my progression at Valeport, even as an apprentice,” said Reece.
One of the things that Reece enjoys most about working at Valeport and his new role is the variety. “Every day is different and this means that no day at work is ever boring. I am always kept busy.
“Customer feedback really makes a difference to me and the whole Production team. A great deal of hard work has gone into ensuring that our products are the highest quality and the very best they can be, so when we hear positive feedback from customers about the kit, it really motivates not only me, but my Production colleagues too,” commented Reece.
With a large team and three sub-departments to oversee the smooth running of, Reece’s busy role also includes liaising with the Sales Team to ensure accurate lead times are given to customers, managing staff development and assisting with the development of new products through the product cycle.
Although Reece is still new to his role, he is looking forward to the opportunity to continue to learn from his peers within the Production Department and across the business. He is also excited about the opportunity to focus his attention on improving efficiency and productivity within the department.
Nurturing Home-Grown Talent
At Valeport we are proud to have many long-serving members of staff and actively encourage a culture that supports our staff to continue to grow and learn, and become experts in their field.
Matt Quartley, Valeport Managing Director, has known Reece since he joined as an apprentice almost ten years ago commented:
“I am absolutely delighted at Reece’s promotion to Production Manager.
“From when Reece first joined the business as a young apprentice, he has demonstrated all the values required to be successful at work, and in life. Reece is naturally hardworking, innovative with a desire to learn and develop himself. His dedication and commitment to Valeport is commendable and we look forward to him continuing to playing a key part in the growth and success of Valeport. Well done, Reece.”
If you would like to know more about apprenticeships and undergraduate placements at Valeport please visit: https://www.valeport.co.uk/articles/apprenticeships-undergraduate-placements-and-lifelong-learning-at-valeport/