News

This year’s ASA Dutch Party was held on 16th October at the prestigious venue of the Belfry, home to past and future Ryder Cup matches between European and US golfers. The ASA event was far friendlier (except on the golf course!). As well as having an enjoyable evening amongst friends and colleagues there was an auction to raise further funds for Sparks, our nominated charity.

In conjunction with money raised at the ASA Golf Day in July at the Mill Ride Golf Club in Ascot, we will be donating over £21,500 to Sparks.

As we were in a generous mood, there was also a raffle in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust which raised £1,725.

Thanks to the venue and to those who organised this successful and enjoyable event.

A new Commercial Apprenticeship Scheme to recruit and train young people for jobs in sales, purchasing and administration is to be launched by the Aluminium Stockholders Association (ASA), one of the Aluminium Federation’s Member Associations, on 1 August 2008. The Scheme is being co-ordinated by MetSkill, the metals industry training specialists, with the JHP Group as training providers.

The ASA’s Training Committee, chaired by Sarah Clark of Ace Engineers Limited, identified requirements from member companies for apprenticeship recruitment and training. “We have worked with MetSkill and JHP to set up this Scheme with an ASA focus”, says Sarah Clark. “We are looking to recruit 16-18 year olds and provide them with a comprehensive training programme”.

The Commercial Apprenticeship Scheme is divided into two parts – Core Training and Enhanced Training.

The Core job skills in sales, purchase and administration will be delivered by JHP Training through a standard Customer Service or Business Administration apprenticeship.

Enhanced Training will be co-ordinated by MetSkill for skills specific to the Aluminium Stockholding sector, over and above standard commercial apprenticeship skills.

The ASA will provide training courses in Aluminium Product Knowledge, Lean Manufacturing, Presentation Skills and Team Working/Leading.
Customer visits and networking and social events will also be organised.
The successful apprentices will be awarded ASA Certification at the end of a 27-month training period.

“I am very confident that this exciting new, industry-wide scheme, badged by ASA, will attract potential recruits through a professional approach to career entry and training”, says ASA Chairman, Karl Weston of Blackburns Metals Ltd. “Our member companies will also benefit by sharing resources to promote the sector and for delivery of common training elements.”

Note to Editors For further details please contact Richard Mahoney, Public Affairs Executive, Aluminium Federation, on 0121 601 6361 (email r_mahoney@alfed.org.uk)

A portable, self-contained work space, available in module format, has won a top prize in the ‘Power of Aluminium’ Awards for 2008.
Volume Products Limited, based in Huddersfield, won the Consumer Engineered Products category for their unique ‘Airea’ work space module.
The £8,000 Award was presented to the company at the ‘Power of Aluminium’ Awards Dinner on Thursday 17 April 2008 at Warwick University by fashion designer and architect, Wayne Hemingway, and the Chairman of the UK Aluminium Stockholders Association (ASA), Karl Weston, who is Managing Director of Blackburns Metals Limited.
The Award was sponsored by the ASA, a Member Association of the Aluminium Federation. “I am delighted to present this Award on behalf of the ASA to recognise outstanding innovation and flexibility of design”, said Mr Weston.
The judges praised the project for being quick and easy to assemble and for offering a solution to design within a listed building. 70% of the product features aluminium extrusions and is 90% recyclable. The judges added that it is environmentally friendly, and reduced noise.
For further information, visit the POA website www.powerofaluminium.com

We are pleased to announce that Kasto Limited of Southampton have been admitted to membership of the ASA as an Affiliate Member.

We are pleased to advise that Assan Aluminium of Istanbul, Turkey have been admitted to membership of the ASA as an Associate Member.