British Engines Group has welcomed 29 new apprentices across its North East businesses as part of its commitment to building sector skills, driving growth and nurturing the next generation of engineering talent. The successful candidates, aged between 16 and 23, were selected from a record 490 applicants and will now begin a four-year programme in roles including machining, maintenance, design and purchasing.
Among the new recruits is Olivia Goldie, who will complete an apprenticeship as a procurement and supply assistant at
BEL Engineering in Newcastle. Robbie Parker will start a machining apprenticeship at
CMP Products in Cramlington, while Jacob Wall begins a maintenance apprenticeship at
Rotary Power in South Shields.
This year’s intake also includes six apprentices from Union Electric Steel in Gateshead following its recent closure, ensuring they can continue their training. Four will join
Michell Bearings in South Shields and two will be based at BEL Engineering.
British Engines is one of the region’s longest-serving apprenticeship employers and continues to play a leading role in reducing the skills gap and increasing social mobility. Around one in 10 employees across the group are currently undertaking an apprenticeship, and the business has provided over 1,000 apprenticeships since the programme began in 1966.
Clear progression pathwaysLeading the scheme is Andrew Myers, the group’s learning and development business partner. Previously product development manager at Rotary Power, Mr Myers oversees the design, delivery and reporting of apprenticeship programmes across the group. His focus will be on using technology to enhance training experiences and ensure apprentices have clear progression pathways.
In addition to the new intake, British Engines is supporting 16 existing employees to undertake apprenticeships as part of their professional development, covering standards such as purchasing, manufacturing, quality, product design development and team leadership.
Mr Myers concluded: “We are really proud of our reputation as one of the region’s leading apprenticeship employers and believe this record intake reflects our continued investment in the future of engineering talent. Our new cohort represents a diverse group of talented individuals who are eager to learn, innovate and contribute to the success of our eight businesses across the group. We have worked hard to elevate the programme so that it not only delivers hands-on experience but also gives apprentices access to new technologies, digital learning tools and structured development pathways.”