Employer case study: Renishaw - The value of apprenticeships in business

Proudly working with Renishaw to train engineers of the future

Gloucestershire College proudly works with Renishaw to train Embedded Electronic Engineering Degree (Level 6) Apprentices. We caught up with Julia Russell, Apprentice Lead at Renishaw, to share why apprenticeships form such an important part of their business and why local employers should consider hiring apprentices or upskilling existing members of staff through apprenticeships.

Why does Renishaw take on apprentices?

“We have taken apprentices for over 40 years, nearly as long as the company have been in existence! They are a key part of the company’s vision and culture. Fresh, new talent brings new ideas and skills, allowing us to remain innovative and relevant in the competitive world of engineering. We are passionate about developing people and recognise the benefits of doing so. I can’t imagine a Renishaw without apprentices.”

Why did you choose Gloucestershire College as your training partner?

“We have been partnering with Gloucestershire College for several years now and use them as the provider for a number of our apprenticeships. I feel we get really good support from the tutors, training coordinators and business partners at Gloucestershire College. We have excellent lines of communication and are in regular contact with their team. Gloucestershire College has demonstrated understanding and flexibility to the needs of us as a business and the needs of our learners. It is clear that the passion and ambition we have for our apprenticeships is matched by Gloucestershire College, who actively work with us to meet our common goals.”

What benefits do apprenticeships bring to Renishaw?

“Apprenticeship programmes mean we get to recruit people at the very beginning of their career journey. We see the apprentices grow in confidence as they build their knowledge, skills and behaviours through their academic learning and work placements. It’s incredibly rewarding to see individuals achieving their goals and then transfer off the scheme into roles in the business and continue to flourish. Developing our own workforce means we can future-proof ourselves by improving on skills and allowing new ideas to be explored.”

Tell us about how your apprentices can progress in your business.

“We encourage personal and professional development and career progression in our workforce.  There are so many divisions and roles within our company and that means there are opportunities at all levels.  Once off the apprentice scheme, the individual will continue to be developed through in-house training and/or further apprenticeships or education. Apprentices can explore their interests while on the programme and shape their own career paths. We find that the motivation and enthusiasm that got them onto and through the apprenticeship sustains them when they are out in the divisions. By making a valuable contribution to the business within our roles, we also all contribute to the progression of the business itself.”

Would you recommend taking on apprentices to other businesses?

“I would absolutely recommend taking apprentices, whether you choose to recruit people onto a scheme, or choose to upskill existing employees via an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships offer a different way of learning that full time education may not. Apprenticeships are more accessible than university meaning you will be able to engage with people who have a lot to offer but would not otherwise have come to your attention. Apprenticeships give people an opportunity to learn vital knowledge, skills and behaviours that will benefit them, the wider workforce and your business as a whole.  You get to see people grow and develop as they forge their own path, and that is incredible rewarding.”

Quality apprenticeship programmes delivered by industry experts

Julie Tegg, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Training at Gloucestershire College said: “We thoroughly enjoy working with Renishaw to train their next generation of outstanding engineers. At Gloucestershire College, we are proud to deliver quality apprenticeship programmes, not just in engineering, but in a whole host of other specialisms from Level 2 up to Degree level. We work with businesses to find the right apprenticeship programme for them, and can even design bespoke training to suit their requirements. We are here to support employers, like Renishaw to develop the future of their business in house through apprenticeships.”

Congratulations to Jack Chapman, Winner of Gloucestershire's Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2020

Jack Chapman, Embedded Electronics Engineering Degree Apprentice at Renishaw is the winner of Gloucestershire's Engineering Apprentice of the Year. Congratulations from everyone at Gloucestershire College, Jack! Read all about Jack's experience of being an apprentice at Gloucestershire College with Renishaw.

Back local talent with Gloucestershire College

There has never been a more important time for businesses to back our local talent here in Gloucestershire. We have young people looking for apprenticeship opportunities with employers like you. If your business can recruit an apprentice, visit: gloscol.ac.uk/backlocaltalent.

Get in touch for expert advice by emailing: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk or calling: 01452 563400.