KMF Secures Prestigious ‘Skills for the Future’ Title at University of Staffordshire Business Awards

Precision sheet metal fabrication and engineering leader KMF Group is celebrating a major milestone after being crowned winner of the coveted Skills for the Future Award at the University of Staffordshire Business Awards 2026.

The accolade highlights KMF’s long-standing dedication to tackling industry skill shortages, driving workforce succession, and creating sustainable, high-value career pathways within the local community.

Founded in 1971 and still managed by its founding family, KMF has grown into one of the UK’s largest and most successful precision sheet metal manufacturing plants, boasting annual sales exceeding £32 million. Central to this growth is a 300-strong workforce, 20% of whom are apprentices.

KMF’s award-winning apprenticeship strategy was launched in-house in 2007 as a direct, strategic response to severe long-term skills shortages and an ageing workforce. At the time, the average age of a KMF employee was 65. Today, through targeted recruitment and structured progression, that average age has dropped to 40, effectively safeguarding the company’s manufacturing capabilities for decades to come.

KMF’s embedded training pipeline gives local talent access to world-class engineering careers while supporting the business’s target of 10% annual strategic growth.

Since bringing its training in-house, KMF has continuously elevated its educational standards:

• In 2007: Became an EAL-approved apprentice training provider
• 2018: Achieved Employer Provider status with RoATP approval
• 2020–Present: Welcomed 85 new engineering apprentices into the business.
• Past 3 years: Upskilled 23 existing team members through levy-funded professional development.
• 2026: Formally recognised as ‘Strong’ across key areas during its official Ofsted inspection.

People and Culture Manager at KMF Group, Jenny Johnston, commented: “Apprenticeships are central to our operational strategy and business growth. This award is a testament to the hard work of our training team and the dedication of our apprentices across the business.”