National Apprenticeship Week

In September 2015, Rolton Group took on its first apprentices for engineering and business administration.

Tom Bishop, 17, and Charlotte Nimmo, 20, were both chosen for their roles due to their academic achievements and positive, proactive attitudes towards kick-starting their careers. Their apprenticeships are offering structured on-the-job training within an educational framework which is supported by local colleges.

Apprenticeships are fast becoming the primary alternative to traditional university study, as school-leavers look for more practical, cost-effective methods to continue their education whilst gaining valuable experience in the workplace. Apprenticeships have been available for many years, but now they are increasingly attracting talented students who could have easily attended university but have simply chosen not to.

Peter Rolton commented on the provision and benefits of apprenticeships, saying:

“We are pleased to be offering these apprenticeships to bright young students. The UK is facing a severe shortage of engineers as demand is increasing, so alternative routes into the industry should be strongly encouraged in order to attract as much potential talent as possible. Creating a variety of routes into skilled careers ensures that people can choose the path that works best for them, and do not have to be held back by potential barriers such as money, family commitments or learning styles.”