Building Skills for the Future Through Apprenticeships

At Grenville Engineering, apprenticeships play a vital role in strengthening both our business and the wider UK manufacturing industry. We are proud to run a successful apprenticeship scheme built around hands-on learning, strong mentoring, and long-term career progression.

We currently have seven apprentices, all recruited through our long-standing relationship with NSEG, who work closely with us to help identify candidates that are the right fit for Grenville. Apprentices represent just over 10% of our shopfloor workforce, a deliberate balance that allows time, focus, and proper mentoring for each individual.

One of the defining strengths of a Grenville apprenticeship is the breadth of experience on offer. As a full fabrication service, apprentices gain exposure to laser cutting, pressing, punching, machining, welding, and assembly. This gives them a true understanding of the complete manufacturing process, from reading technical drawings to finished components, and helps them identify where their strengths and interests naturally lie.

Apprentice rotating through metal fabrication processes at Grenville Engineering

Learning takes place in real production environments, guided by highly skilled, experienced team members. Apprentices develop practical skills, problem-solving ability, and confidence by working on live jobs, learning how quality, safety, and delivery expectations come together on the shopfloor.

Grant Barratt, Director, says:

“Apprenticeships are essential to the future of our business and the wider engineering sector. Developing skills internally allows us to build a strong, capable workforce while ensuring knowledge and experience are passed on to the next generation.”

Retention and progression are key measures of the scheme’s success. Grenville has a strong track record of apprentices staying with the business long term and progressing into skilled, supervisory, and leadership roles. Where individuals show commitment and potential, we continue to invest in additional qualifications that support both personal development and business capability.

Highly skilled engineering workforce at Grenville Engineering

Experienced engineers mentoring apprentices at Grenville Engineering

Several members of the Grenville team have come through this route. Stuart, now Sales Director, started his career as an apprentice more than three decades ago. Mark, now a Quality Inspector, also began as an apprentice 24 years ago and previously worked as a coded welder. Brenden, who now leads the press shop, progressed through the business after starting out as an apprentice. Their journeys reflect the long-term value of investing in people and developing skills from within.

At Grenville, we believe nurturing young talent is critical to ensuring essential engineering skills are not lost. Apprenticeships are not just about training for today, but about building capability for the future.

To see how this approach works in practice, read the story of John, one of our Team Leaders, who joined Grenville as an apprentice in 2004 and progressed through the business.

For more information on Building Skills for the Future Through Apprenticeships talk to Grenville Engineering (Stoke-on-Trent) Ltd