Windsor Materials Handling has been using the apprenticeship scheme for over three decades to attract fresh talent and motivated individuals who are eager to learn and contribute as engineers to the business with our longest serving engineer joining through the scheme over 36 years ago.
Hiring apprentices has always been embedded within the ethos of the business and is seen to be a long-term investment. By providing structured training and hands-on experience, we are able to develop a skilled workforce that understands the company’s processes, culture, and values who in turn become loyal employees that are more likely to stay with the business and contribute to its growth.
With there being no guarantee that the current skills shortage in the engineering and manufacturing industry will come to an end any time soon, the best way of securing our business’s long-term success over the years has been to attract our own apprentices.
To that end, we have been holding a series of open days at our branches across the country over the last month in an effort to recruit which has resulted in 11 of the 15 available apprenticeships being offered to young individuals within the communities of our branch network.
Having risen through the ranks following a time served engineering apprenticeship himself, long-serving employee and Senior Service and Operations Manager, Martin Brader who has been heavily involved in the recruitment process this year says; “Anyone involved in the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sector will be well aware that it is an industry in the midst of a serious skills shortage. Without a pool of top-quality talent to choose from, many businesses like our own are struggling to expand after being unable to find the right calibre of employee to suit their requirements.”
“We recognise that there is often a shortage of skilled engineers in our industry so by offering apprenticeships, we can actively contribute to closing the skills gap by equipping individuals with the necessary expertise. This helps address future talent shortages while building a pipeline of skilled professionals within the organisation.”
“Part of the concern for many organisations is retention once apprentices qualify which is why we have invested in a tiered salary and development structure which helps our recruits to understand the earning potential and career progression opportunities that are available to them should they remain in the business. This is a strategy that we have implemented to help ensure we keep apprentices engaged and motivated throughout their course and into their employment as an engineer.”
As a business, our aim is to have a positive impact within our communities in every aspect of what we do. That includes how we recruit into our business and it is important to emphasise the real-life career opportunities that apprenticeships hold.
Ian Stone says “Innovations within the industry have gradually transformed what it means to be an engineer, from a trade that was once heavily mechanical to one today that is much more technical and definitely varied. Since starting as apprentice in 1984 the job has continually evolved keeping the role interesting and fresh, particularly in recent years with the shift to electric equipment which utilises the same technology as the electric cars we see on the roads today.”
“The tools of our trade maybe materials handling equipment, but it’s the way we approach issues, implementing the right product mix for the right application, and the work we do with specifiers, that is key to our success. Working with major brands within industries such as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, timber and construction, we are an integral part of the manufacturing and distribution process so ensuring that our customers operations are running without problems is vital to their success to deliver.”
“At Windsor, we maintain a philosophy of continual investment in people to help ensure our strong reputation for personal customer support is maintained. We always seek to develop and nurture long term and valued relationships to enable our customers to succeed.”
