Historic STL apprenticeship scheme expanded

STL apprentices old and new. Photo courtesy of STL

Redditch-based Samuel Taylor Ltd (STL) has taken on three new toolmaking apprentices, further expanding its successful apprenticeship scheme. The historic company, a specialist in bi-metal bonding and precision stamping within the electrical contact market, is celebrating 125 years in business in 2024 and has developed its own pipeline of engineers via this scheme for over 30 years.

As part of a planned, long-term approach, this summer’s intake has taken the current apprentice count at STL to eight. The number of new recruits in 2024 mirrors that of 2023, with individuals embarking on a toolmaking career within the company supplemented with specialised off-the-job training provided at long-standing apprenticeship training partner Midland Group Training Services (MGTS) in Redditch.

Theo, James and Jack — who joined STL as part of the 2024 summer intake — will spend the majority of the first year of their apprenticeships at MGTS. Meanwhile, Tobias, Owen and Connor, having started in September 2023, have now returned to commence in-house training at STL in conjunction with part-time study at MGTS.

STL director Robert Gordon said: “We are proud to be able to give these talented young people a start to their careers in engineering. At the same time, we are building our workforce of the future. The nature of our engineering is highly skilled and involves working to extremely tight tolerances. As with most engineering firms across the country, we see a shortage of skilled time-served individuals that fit our profile, and we therefore accept that it is our responsibility to develop our own talent.

“We commit a significant amount of time to providing our apprentices with on-the-job training and look forward to seeing them progress within the company. Our apprentices can see a clear line of sight between their apprenticeship and their future prospects, with a significant proportion of our workforce apprentice-trained and given the opportunity for further training to HNC and HND level.”

He continued: “There will be opportunities for these individuals to grow within the business moving forward as we help them to develop the required skills. As a manufacturing company, we are committed to training skilled engineers. Everybody at STL wishes them the best moving forward and I am sure that they will all continue to enjoy successful careers with us.”

Future talent pipeline
As part of ongoing skills succession planning, the company is also taking an innovative approach to attracting the next generation to take advantage of its apprenticeship opportunities. Since June 2023, STL has been scaling its apprenticeship scheme with the external support of Next Gen Makers, with a focus on implementing best practice within the scheme and building stronger relationships with local schools to nurture a future talent pipeline. This has borne fruit in 2024, with a 300% increase in applications for their apprenticeship vacancies.

STL intends to expand its apprenticeship scheme further over the coming years, including exploring the potential for other roles and pathways such as mechatronics, quality engineers and continuous improvement.

Meanwhile, the educational achievements and contributions of several other STL employees is also being recognised, as Matthew and Troy become the latest to obtain their mechanical engineering HNCs as part of STL’s ongoing commitment to higher-level technical education. Both are now contining their studies at HND level.

Mr Gordon concluded: “Congratulations to Matthew and Troy on their significant educational achievements and contribution in their work at STL. We look forward to supporting them in their progression towards an HND.”