National Apprenticeship Week

The 10^th to the 16^th of February is National Apprenticeship Week, and here at European Springs and Pressings, we are proud to say that many of our team members began their career with us as an apprentice.

To mark the occasion, we’re celebrating the week by taking a closer look at apprenticeships at European Springs, including some stories of past and current apprentices.

Our employees are the backbone of the products and services we deliver, and that’s why we are committed to fostering the growth of the next generation of engineers.

National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week is an event run by partners such as the Department for Education. It helps young people explore potential career opportunities from leading brands. For 2025, the theme of the week is ‘Skills for Life’, focusing on skills that help apprentices prepare for the future and benefit businesses in the long run. Whether developing an existing skill or learning a completely new one, skills are an integral part of any career.

During this week, prospective apprentices, parents, and schools can learn more about what’s on offer in terms of apprenticeships, from live employer events to virtual apprenticeship fairs. If you or someone you know is interested in beginning their journey as an apprentice, this week is the perfect time to do so. To see what’s going on and for more National Apprenticeship Week resources, please visit the National Apprenticeships Week website.

The Benefits of Apprenticeships

The Benefits of Apprenticeships

The engineering industry is always growing and looking for new talent, making it an excellent industry to conduct your apprenticeship in. There are several different advantages to completing an apprenticeship, here are just a few:

• Blend of Learning Styles: When completing an apprenticeship, you’ll be exposed to a variety of different teaching styles. This can be either classroom-based or learning hands-on, which is great for developing your qualifications and getting to grips with practical skills.
• Get Paid for Learning: One of the main incentives for completing an apprenticeship is earning while you’re learning. This pay will be dependent on the work you’re doing, your age, and how far you are along in your training.
• Career Advancement: In general, apprentices complete their training between 1 and 4 years to become fully qualified. Often, apprentices will be offered a full-time role in the organisation they’ve been training with, which can be a great way to progress in your career.
• Mentorship: As an apprentice, you’ll learn from some of the best in the business. Mentors can share their wisdom with you, meaning that you’re learning from individuals who have been in your position before.

Training apprentices not only offers benefits for those training but also for businesses. We have found that it is a much more worthwhile investment to train, upskill, or reskill our team rather than conducting ongoing recruitment. Within the engineering industry, there is always the need for new talent and fresh perspectives, making it an important programme for organisations to provide.

Apprenticeships at European Springs and Pressings

At European Springs, we take on new apprentices each year and have developed an apprenticeship program that provides both qualifications and practical experience. When completing your apprenticeship with European Springs, here’s what day-to-day life can look like:

• Studying: It’s important to know both the physical and theoretical aspects of this job. You may spend a few days a week at college or in-house learning more about the industry and skills with your fellow apprentices.
• Shadowing: We’re lucky to have an experienced team that are experts in their field. You will be taught by different engineers and will have the opportunity to ask questions to expand your learning.
• Supervised Work: As you learn more about our industry and how we work, you’ll get the chance to complete work under the supervision of our team. This will give you the opportunity to try out machines and equipment for yourself with insightful feedback.
• Assessment: Your supervisor will conduct regular check-ins to see how you’re progressing and will assess your knowledge and skills through the form of practical exams and coursework. 

  

Our Apprentices: Past and Present

We are extremely proud of the apprentices who have joined us over the years, here’s a brief look at our past apprentices and where they are now:

Alan Lowing – Alan began his apprenticeship in September 2015 and has since completed his BTEC and NVQ in manufacturing engineering, joining our wire forming department. Alan has been recently promoted to wire technical engineer, where he holds more responsibility as the subject matter expert in the department.

Sami Hamache – Sami started his apprenticeship in July 2022 and has gained his BTEC and NVQs since. Sami works in our production department as a small order spring maker and setter. We are proud to have Sami as part of the team, and he continues to learn new skills and progress in his speciality.

Brandon Smith – Brandon joined as an apprentice in September 2018, completing his BTEC and NVQ and continuing onto our Press Shop in 2019. He worked for two years as a press setter, and his exceptional performance meant he was chosen to join the Toolroom as a trainee toolmaker. Brandon is committed to continual progression and was enrolled in a HNC program in 2023 to develop his skills.

Recently, we’ve also brought three new apprentices onboard at European Springs: Buddy Kempster, Eltayeb Ahmed, and Kyle Singh. We are excited to have these new members as part of the team as they embark on achieving their BTEC and NVQ qualifications and shadowing different members of the company.

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, we remain committed to providing valuable opportunities for apprentices to grow, learn, and succeed. We look forward to continuing our work with the next generation of talent and supporting their journey every step of the way. If you’re ready to take the first step, consider joining our team and making your mark in the engineering world.