Market Bosworth-based JJ Churchill, which was founded on Christmas Day in 1937, is celebrating 80 years in business by recruiting the highest number of apprentices in its history.

The company makes high-precision gas turbine components for the aerospace industry, as well as high-horsepower diesel engine components and assemblies. It recruits new apprentices most years, and most of its 129 employees have an apprenticeship background.

Chief executive Andrew Churchill (www.jjchurchill.co.uk) said: “We couldn’t have been so successful for the past eight decades without the hundreds of apprentices who’ve come through our doors and gone on to be great engineers.

"Most are local; we’re part of the community in Leicestershire, and we’re proud to invest in the region and give people a great career in engineering.

“We could bring people in with the skills already, but giving young people those opportunities instead is important to us.”

Engineering skills body Semta helps businesses to set up successful apprenticeship programmes and is encouraging other smaller organisations to follow JJ Churchill’s lead.

Ann Watson, Semta chief executive, said: “JJ Churchill is a shining example of a company doing exactly the right thing.

“We’ve got a big skills gap in the UK — we need two million more engineers by 2025 — and apprenticeships are an extremely cost-effective way for organisations of all sizes to future-proof their business by growing their own talent.”