Family company Hereford Casks Ltd has gone from strength to strength since it was established by owner/director Chris Strange in 2002. Being formed from what could have been seen as unfortunate event when Chris was made redundant after the closure of leading cask/keg supplier Keg Services Ltd, Chris took the initiative and bought up equipment to start his own company with just 3 employees. From humble beginnings the company has grown to be very unique, having only 2 similar companies trading in the UK. Chris’s son Steve Strange comments that despite being the smallest of the 3 cask firms they still offer a very unique service supplying casks to businesses worldwide as well as to more local breweries such as Wye Valley and the Herefordshire Brewery. “We really try to accommodate all of our customers, from people looking for just one cask, right up to the really big orders. We are proud of the service we provide to each customer regardless of how large the client is. We really pull out the stops to provide what people want.”

Steve Strange, son of company owner Chris Strange, was keen to emphasise how important the combination of practical work and theoretical knowledge is on the path to becoming a skilled worker. “Our one apprentice Adam has always worked with our company, so although he has fantastic knowledge it is very specific to Hereford Casks Ltd. Our other apprentice Alex completed a First Diploma in Welding and Fabrication at Herefordshire College of Technology’s Holme Lacy Campus prior to coming here so he has a much broader base of knowledge and this can only be beneficial to his development in real life industry. They now both attend HCT once a week.”

Aside from getting paid for working and studying at the same time apprentices also benefit from being more employable when they finish their training, most often with the company they have trained with. For the company, they get a skilled and familiar worker which often is much more appealing than someone who is completely new to the firm.

Apprentice Adam, Steve’s nephew, talks about how he has found his Apprenticeship so far “I enjoy the practical side of the job mostly. I find the Functional Skills quite challenging but it is a necessary part of it too. My tutors are friendly and good. Originally I wanted to do Carpentry but because of this being the family business I moved in to doing welding and really enjoyed it.”

Other apprentice Alex also gives his side of the story “I like some parts better than others though I suppose most things are like that. I think when I’ve got more experience I’d like to eventually use my skills with motor racing, making roll cages and things like that. It won’t be for a while yet though.”