Ryan Groggins, EHSQ (Environmental, Health, Safety, and Quality Management) Operations Manager at James Fisher Nuclear, welcomed the launch of a Level 4 Quality Practitioner course at Lakes College. He said: “In EHSQ there are very few industries that combine health and safety with quality, so when looking at how I could recruit a readymade EHSQ Engineer I knew that this would be very difficult.

“I have always been a huge supporter for developing and mentoring younger personnel and when I saw that the college was starting a quality practitioner course, I had a lightbulb moment that I could recruit an apprentice who would be fresh and be able to mould them into an EHSQ Engineer.

“James Fisher Nuclear has never had a EHSQ Engineer apprentice but due to the calibre of candidates that the college found I succeeded in bringing in two apprentices.

“The collaboration we have with the college and how closely we have worked together has been very pleasing. It’s great to know that apprentices are gaining a great understanding of the work involved in EHSQ.”

Electrical engineering and manufacturing firm Anord Mardix – which specialises in critical power solutions – has forged a strong relationship with Kendal College. Danielle Walker, Head of HR, EMEA at Anord Mardix, said: “Our partnership with Kendal College has been in place now for around five years. Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for students and also provide a great opportunity to earn money while you’re learning and really kickstart your career.

“I personally really enjoy, and am really passionate about, the apprenticeship scheme. Seeing apprentices who are interested in engineering work through interview stages, enter the workplace, and really develop and come out in their personalities is a fantastic journey to be on.

“Even our Head of Production started off as an apprentice, so he’s really worked his way through the company and that’s always really nice to see.”

Siemens Energy Subsea currently has apprentices at Furness College studying Business Administration, Mechanical Engineering and IT. Colin Nash, learning and development advisor at Siemens Energy Subsea, said: “We have a good relationship with Furness College as we share the same goals of having well-rounded, successful apprentices.

“We can give them a good experience in the workplace, but it’s also important to entrench the knowledge of their role.

“Rotation is a key element for us where we can apply it for apprentices.

“We don’t always know which path they’re going to take, so we try to give our apprentices different options which helps make them more adaptable and gives the apprenticeships greater flexibility.”