At E3 Recruitment we’re passionate about promoting manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships. Understanding the prevalent skills shortage, we know that apprenticeships can provide individuals with the skills to advance in their careers.
Last week the top 50 SMEs and 100 apprenticeship employers were released, with each company being ranked for their commitment to creating outstanding apprenticeship programmes. The table took a look at not only the number of apprentices employers took on but how they diversified apprenticeships and achievements.
We take a look at the top 100 manufacturing and engineering apprenticeship employers and top 50 SMEs across Manufacturing, Engineering and Automotive Industries, looking at how they’ve diversified their manufacturing and engineering apprenticeship programmes.
Top 100 Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeship providers
First, from manufacturing, we have Nissan who ranked 10th on the table. Nissan’s apprenticeship scheme offers individuals the chance to kickstart their careers with a taste of what life is like working at a world-leading car manufacturer. Nissan offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with 8.6% of their employees being apprentices in March 2023. From 2022 to 2023, Nissan welcomed 987 apprentice starters.
Next, we have BAE Systems ranking 14th on the top 100 apprenticeship employer league table. BAE Systems offers an apprenticeship scheme that allows individuals to get hands-on experience, working on challenging real-life projects. The company offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, with 8.8% of their employees being apprentices in March 2023. From 2022 to 2023, the employer welcomed 887 new apprentice starters.
Ranking 35th, Pendennis Shipyard offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3 and 7. The world’s leading superyacht refit and custom build facilities offer an award-winning apprenticeship scheme that has trained over 300 young men and women in boat industry jobs over the past 25 years. 12.2% of Pendennis Shipyard’s employees were apprentices in March 2023, the company welcomed 41 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Travis Perkins, ranking 38th on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Travis Perkins’ award-winning apprenticeship programmes are designed to set employees up for a successful career, by building their transferable skills and knowledge to help them grow and develop. With 4.4% of their employees being apprentices in March 2023, the employer welcomed 618 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 39th, we have Jaguar Land Rover, the British multinational automobile manufacturer. Jaguar Land Rover offers apprenticeship levels 3, 4, 6 and 7, with 4.3% of their employees being apprentices in March 2023. From 2022 to 2023, the company welcomed 940 new apprentice starters. Apprentices at Jaguar Land Rover work towards nationally recognised qualifications and achieve an apprenticeship accredited by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Stagecoach Group, ranking 42nd on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4 and 6. Stagecoach Group offer a range of apprenticeship programmes to develop the workforce of the future. In March 2023 6.3% of employers were apprentices, with the company welcoming 888 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
GXO Logistics, ranking 48th on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4,5,6 and 7. 2.8% of GXO Logistics employees were apprentices in March 2023, with the company welcoming 763 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 58th, we have E3R client Sheffield Forgemasters, a global leader in steel production and engineering. Sheffield Forgemasters offers an award-winning apprenticeship scheme at levels 2, 3, 4 and 6, with 8.9% of their employees being apprentices in March 2023. From 2022 to 2023, the company welcomed 46 new starter apprentices.
Babcock International, ranking 63rd on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Babcock apprentices gain hands-on experience in the workplace whilst undertaking a part-time course with a training provider. 5.3% of the company’s employees were apprentices in March 2023, as they welcomes 275 new apprentices from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 67th, we have Sellafield LTD, whose apprentice program allows apprentices to contribute to their vital 100-year mission of decommissioning the site and making it safe for the future. Their apprenticeship programme offers levels 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, with the company having 5.5% of their employees as apprentices in March 2023. From 2022 to 2023, Sellafield welcomed 247 new apprentice starters.
Transport UK Group, ranking 56th on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Transport UK plays a vital role in shaping the future of integrated public transport. 5.5% of the company’s employees were apprentices, with them also welcoming 509 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 68th, SE Trains Ltd offers apprenticeship levels from 2 to 7. The train operator had 7.3% of its employees as apprentices in March 2023, with 133 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023. SE Trains Ltd offer several rail industry-specific apprenticeships. Their apprenticeship scheme gives individuals the opportunity to achieve a nationally recognised qualification and earn whilst they learn.
Rolls-Royce, ranking 71st on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 3, 4 and 6. Rolls-Royce apprenticeship scheme offers individuals a competitive salary whilst also offering the chance to study for fully sponsored qualifications. 3.4% of its employees were apprentices in March 2023, with 312 new apprentice starters coming into the business from 2022 to 2023.
E3R client Unilever, ranked 73rd on the league table, offers apprenticeship levels 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Unilever in March 2023 had 7.9% of its employees as apprentices, with the company welcoming 175 new apprentices starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 86th, Gemini Accident Repair Centres offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3 and 4. Gemini ARC launched its multi-skilled apprenticeship programme in 2017 and over the past 5 years has onboarded nearly 100 apprentices. 11.1% of the company’s employees are apprentices, with 37 new apprentice starters welcomed into the business from 2022 to 2023.
KMF Group, ranking 87th on the table, offers apprenticeship levels 2 and 3. Their apprenticeship scheme allows individuals to gain valuable ‘on the job’ experience and work towards professional qualifications. In March 2023 11.7% of KMF Group’s employees were apprentices, with 23 new apprentice starters joining the business from 2022 to 2023.
After KMF Group, we then have E3R client William Hare ranking 88th on the table. William Hare offers apprenticeship levels 3, 4, 5 and 6, with 8.1% of the company’s employees being apprentices in March 2023. Apprentices at William Hare are allowed to work on projects that have a real-life impact on the success of the business, whilst developing their skills and knowledge. From 2022 to 2023, 67 apprentices started joined the business.
E3R client Motus Commercials, ranked 90th on the table, offer apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. The company offers a range of apprenticeships across the business from Sales Executives to HGV Technicians to Administrators. 7.7% of employees at Motus Commercials are apprentices, with the business welcoming 69 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 94th, we have CrossCountry Trains. Offering apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5 & 7, the company had 9.3% of its employees as apprentices in March 2023, with 94 new apprentices starting from 2022 to 2023. Cross Country Trains offers apprenticeships across several roles.
Ranking 98th on the table we have Vertu Motors, who offer apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. Within their apprenticeship scheme they partner with multiple different training providers, to offer highly esteemed apprenticeships. 7.4% of Vertu Motors employees were apprentices in March 2023, with them also welcoming 203 new apprentice starters from 2022 to 2023.
Ranking 99th is Pennon Group, an environmental utility infrastructure company. Pennon Group offers apprenticeship levels 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6, the company had 8.1% of its employees as apprentices in March 2023. Pennon welcomed 141 new starts from 2022 to 2023.
Top 50 SMEs Manufacturing and Engineering Apprenticeship providers
We next take a look at the top 50 SME manufacturing and engineering Apprenticeship providers.
Ranking 21st, we firstly have Global Technologies Racing, whose client base spans many global industries including Defence, Motorsport, Aerospace, Industrial, Medical, Marine and Automotive.
Intelect comes next, ranking 27th on the table. Their award-winning apprenticeship scheme employs around 20-25 apprentices at any one time, ranging from 1st-year apprentices to those studying degree level or higher education courses.
Ranking 29th, we have Lander Tubular Products, a leading engineering and fabrication manufacturer specialising in tube manipulation and CNC tube bending of metal and plastic pipe and tube assemblies.
We then have Southbourne Rubber, which is a leading provider of precision elastomeric sealing products. Southbourne Rubber ranked 42nd on the Top 50 SME Apprenticeships.
Ranking 48th we have JLES Group, a Specialist Adoption Works Contractor who provides Consult and Construct infrastructure packages to developers across the UK. With their apprenticeship scheme, they have 51% of their employees currently working towards a qualification.
Lastly, we have E3R client Reliance Precision which ranked 50th. Their apprenticeship scheme offers individuals the opportunity to begin their careers in their on-site EAL-recognised training facility, which has been accredited by The Institution of Mechanical Engineers and The Institution of Engineering and Technology.
The recently released rankings of the top 100 apprenticeship employers and top 50 SMEs highlight the commitment of these companies to creating exceptional apprenticeship programs. From industry leaders like The Go-Ahead Group, Nissan, and BAE Systems to innovative SMEs like Global Technologies Racing and Intelect, these organisations have demonstrated the value of diversifying apprenticeship programs and investing in the development of future talent.