National Apprenticeship Week 2025

Published - 10th Feb 2025

Celebrating the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Metaltech Precision is proud to join National Apprenticeship Week, a government initiative from 10-16 February 2025. The week brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Celebrating our Apprentices

At Metaltech Precision, we continue to invest in manufacturing apprenticeships to empower young people with real-world skills, strengthen the manufacturing industry for the future, and enhance our local economy. Our apprentices gain hands-on experience at Metaltech Precision alongside learning at a local college.

Our two Machining Technician – Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship apprentices, Ben and Isaac, are well into their first year. This includes making their way around our extensive shop floor, getting a taste for operational processes including CNC sliding head machining, milling and turning, as well as tooling and inspection.

“I am most drawn to the milling process,” says Isaac. “I am looking forward to moving on to large-scale milling machines and harnessing my skills on complex geometries.” Meanwhile, Ben is interested in the aerospace sector: “I am looking forward to learning more about the components we manufacture, and how these function in an aerospace environment.”

Our Fourth Year Machining apprentice Jacob is currently working on short-batch runs, allowing him to hone his machine setting skills on a variety of components which have varying degrees of complexity. Jacob is enjoying his apprenticeship, saying: “Over my time within the Metaltech apprenticeship program, I have been impressed with the supportive environment here. Not only can I go to my designated apprenticeship coordinator, but all my peers have been willing to lend their expertise and know-how.”

Marcus, our First Year Maintenance apprentice is enjoying the hands-on experience

maintaining and repairing key machinery. Developing a well-rounded skillset including electrical knowledge, power tool experience and project management, he says: “I enjoy the level of responsibility that is delegated to me, allowing me to develop my critical thinking and problem solving, whilst being reassured support is always nearby.”

How our Apprentices benefit

Metaltech Precision’s apprenticeships offer these young people a unique opportunity to earn and learn. They benefit from:

• Hands-on experience with machinery under expert tuition
• Theoretical learning to support their practical skills
• Financial independence: apprentices earn a wage while they learn
• Career progression: a clear pathway to full-time employment

How Metaltech Precision benefits from apprenticeships

Our commitment to apprenticeships also helps support both Metaltech Precision and the broader community around our facility in Somerset, by providing:

• Economic growth through local employment opportunities.
• Community engagement, fostering a sense of pride and connection between the community and our business.
• Future security – our investment ensures that our local area remains a hub for manufacturing excellence.

How our apprenticeships benefit the wider economy

The manufacturing sector is the backbone of the British economy, driving innovation and growth. However, the industry faces a skills gap that threatens its future (75% of UK businesses cite skills gaps as a major growth barrier, according to Barclays)

As a leading precision CNC machining and fabrication company, Metaltech Precision is proud to support the future success of the British manufacturing industry by investing in manufacturing apprenticeships. This helps to:

• Future-proof the industry
• Encourage innovation
• Maintain high standards in skills and manufacturing.

Supporting ‘earn & learn’ opportunities

As part of Expromet Technologies Group, Metaltech Precision is committed to creating opportunities that build skills, empower the next generation and contribute to a stronger, more dynamic workforce. We are proud to be a member of The 5% Club, an industry-led initiative dedicated to increasing ‘earn and learn’ opportunities: we have already met the aspiration to achieve 5% of our workforce in earn and learn positions, which includes apprenticeships, sponsored student placements and graduate training schemes.

Manufacturing apprenticeships at Metaltech Precision

We are delighted to celebrate the progress to date of our four young apprentices, and look forward to working with them as they continue to earn and learn with us.

Chris Hopkins and Kieren Gaylard will be representing Metaltech at the Yeovil College Apprenticeships Fair on Wednesday 12 February, so be sure to come say Hello!

If you’d like to find out more about our apprenticeship scheme, please get in touch – we’re always looking for ambitious local talent.