Berkshire-based Xtrac (www.xtrac.com) — a transmission technology specialist — is to receive a ‘2018 standard of excellence award’ for the contribution that its apprenticeship programme makes to the business.

The award will be presented by HRH The Princess Royal in October, shortly after the next cohort of six undergraduates and four apprentices — selected from more than 100 applicants — commence their training with Xtrac.

The Princess Royal Training Awards are now in their third year. Each of the 90 applications was assessed against three ‘hallmarks of excellence’ by the Awards Commission.

Jane Gilham, head of human resources at Xtrac, said: “The impact on the business of the 56 apprentices who have undertaken our SEMTA-approved advanced apprenticeship in mechanical engineering — in conjunction with Newbury College — plus 60 engineering undergraduates, who have studied at various UK universities, is a steady flow of skilled young people for our design and manufacturing operations.”

Warren Page, the company’s apprentice manager, said: “By the end of the training, all the participants have significantly improved capability — not only technical but also personal development, which features highly in the programme.

"Even 10 years after completing their apprenticeships, we retain 85% of these youngsters as highly valued technicians and professional engineers.

"Indeed, our first apprentice — Simon Short — now heads the transmission build and overhaul facility at our company based in the USA.”

Chief executive Adrian Moore said: “We are currently implementing a major investment programme, including a 27,000ft² machine shop extension with the latest ‘state of the art’ specialist gear-manufacturing equipment.

"Our training schemes are essential to enable our young people to make the most of the opportunity this investment will give them.”