At the end of January 2021, Gloucestershire based global engineering technologies company, Renishaw, welcomed 66 households, approximately 130 attendees, to its virtual early careers event for aspiring engineers. The event provided an opportunity for students and their parents to learn more about Renishaw’s apprenticeship, placement and graduate schemes and to explore the opportunities open to them when considering their future career options.
Attendees interested in a career in science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM), design and computing heard from Julia Russell, Apprentice Lead at Renishaw, about the company’s different schemes and the alternative routes students can take after GCSEs and A-levels. Becca Hiorns, Graduate Lead at Renishaw also presented information about options available to students who may choose to opt for the University route, such as Renishaw’s summer and industrial placements and graduate schemes. Participants also heard from current apprentices and a graduate about their experiences and journeys into engineering.
Despite the current pandemic, Renishaw is continuing to engage with students through its virtual educational outreach programmes. Apprenticeship applications are still open and will close at the end of National Apprenticeship Week on February 12th. Renishaw apprenticeships provide young people, who are interested in STEM careers, the opportunity to progress in their profession, gain valuable industry experience and obtain nationally recognised qualifications.
“There are many different routes students can take after they have completed their GCSEs or A-levels,” commented Rebecca Bound, Education Outreach Officer at Renishaw. “Renishaw prides itself on supporting the next generation of engineers and has invested heavily in early careers since 1979. Apprentices get the opportunity to study while working in experienced teams on real-life projects, such as producing software and parts for ventilators. Recruiting young talent is fundamental to our business because they bring innovative ideas, are socially conscious and have very strong digital skills. They also play an important role by contributing to the team from their first day.”
“During my third year as a Technical Apprentice, I became a STEM ambassador to encourage more girls to pursue engineering,” explained Esmee Howard, Technical Apprentice at Renishaw. “Promoting STEM careers to students, especially young girls, in a way that I was never exposed to at school, has been rewarding and has helped me grow in confidence. If I had been told about engineering sooner through early careers events, like Renishaw provides, I would have realised engineering was the right career path so much earlier in my school life.
“Becoming a STEM ambassador also means that I can share my experiences on important projects, such as VentilatorChallengeUK, where Renishaw helped to manufacture ventilators for the NHS,”,” continued Howard. “This project brought the company together and we all felt a lot of pride that our roles were helping save lives. Apprenticeships can sometimes be looked down upon by schools, peers and family, compared to university degrees, but it was the right choice for me. The industry knowledge and experience so far has exceeded what I expected to achieve by this point in my career.”
As well as in-house training in fields such as manufacturing, software engineering and embedded electronics, Renishaw apprenticeships offer access to a varied and supportive work environment. To find out more about what Renishaw apprenticeships have to offer or apply yourself, visit www.renishaw.com/apprenticeships.
