EngineeringUK celebrates engineering and technology apprentices

EngineeringUK attends the Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair

To celebrate National Apprenticeships Week, EngineeringUK attended the Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair on Wednesday 12th February alongside two of our corporate members, Orsted and Leonardo.

The annual event in Parliament, organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, brings together Parliamentarians, employers, industry groups, and apprentices themselves to discuss the successes and challenges of the current system. As a sponsor of the Group, EngineeringUK had the opportunity to highlight the range of apprenticeships available in the engineering sector by hosting a stand at the event.

Darla Pearce, Electronic Engineering Degree Apprentice at Leonardo’s Luton site, spoke of her experience taking the intensive four-year course as a high-quality pathway into skilled employment. Meanwhile, Robert Howes, Senior Learning and Development Specialist at Orsted’s Grimsby site, offered his reflections on running local apprenticeship programmes in the offshore wind sector.

James Gordon, Public Affairs Advisor at EngineeringUK, commented: “Given the Government’s recent announcement on the removal of functional skills requirements for adult apprentices and the ongoing development of the Growth and Skills Levy, the Parliamentary Apprenticeships Fair took place at an opportune moment to discuss these issues with Parliamentarians from across the House. At this critical juncture for apprenticeships policy, it was great to bring some of the success stories of employers and apprentices to life and discuss the future trajectory of engineering and technology apprenticeships”.