Apprenticeship partnership for sustainable growth

01 November, 2023

Representatives from Close Brothers Group plc, pictured alongside University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre apprentice alumni

“We are proud to be playing our part to help small businesses invest in their future and pass important skills onto the next generation.”

Under the scheme, Close Brothers contributes up to 50% of the wages of the apprentices in the first year and 25% in the second year and covers all training costs. This year, Close Brothers will be funding 15 new apprentices and five progressing apprentices to higher and degree apprenticeships.

For further information please visit: https://amrctraining.co.uk

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Apprentice alumni

Apprentice alumni Adrian Salatowski received support through the Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme. He undertook a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship and progressed to a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in Manufacturing Technologies at the AMRC Training Centre.

The 31-year-old has worked for CWE Ltd, based in North Lincolnshire, since January 2020. He began at the company as a CNC machinist and progressed to a quality assurance inspector role shortly after. He is now a quality assurance manager.

Adrian said that receiving support from Close Brothers gave him a big boost and laid a solid foundation for his engineering career: “An apprenticeship appealed to me because of the accessibility element. As a foreign student from Poland, an apprenticeship seemed like the best way for me to redirect my life and join the engineering patch.

“My family has always been very technical in various industries and an apprenticeship for me seemed like a natural continuity of the family tradition to join the same path. My engineering road was bumpy since I came to the UK from a different country, but having the support from Close Brothers has helped me immeasurably to have a job in engineering and boost my career.

“As a proud part of the industry, I keep developing my strengths and growing as a professional. The skills and knowledge gained during my apprenticeship helped me prove my position at work which resulted in various promotions and general appreciation of my efforts.”

Another former apprentice supported by the Close Brothers SME Apprentice Programme is 21-year-old Rosie Davies. She is a Level 3 CNC machine operator at Penny Hydraulics in Chesterfield and has worked there for almost three years. At the AMRC Training Centre, she achieved a Level 3 diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (Computer Numerical Control).

Rosie said: “Receiving the funding from Close Brothers has allowed the company to train me on our new CNC machine and it has enabled me to have the amazing opportunity to work in the engineering industry and to earn while I learn.

“My grandfather, dad and uncle inspired me to pursue a career in engineering. As it runs in my family, it has always piqued my interest. Ever since I was younger, I have watched them take things apart and figure out how they work, or fix things I was sure would be broken for good - I wanted to be like them.

“An apprenticeship gave me the skills and knowledge I needed to constantly develop my skills in the workplace, while teaching new apprentices the things I have learned. It’s something I’ll always be very grateful for.”

Also working for Penny Hydraulics is design engineer Louie Hodkin. He gained a Level 3 in Technical Support at the AMRC Training Centre and is currently working towards his Level 6 Degree in Manufacturing Technology.

“I didn’t want to go to university, but I wanted a degree, so I was in a difficult position until I found the AMRC Training Centre, which was specific to engineering,” added the 23-year-old. “It has allowed me to earn money while gaining valuable experience.

“Without the support of Close Brothers and this scheme I wouldn’t have been able to undertake an apprenticeship or have the opportunity to take on multiple courses through the AMRC Training Centre.”

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