Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce is a global
business providing integrated power systems for use on land, at sea
and in the air.
When Rolls-Royce asked Warwickshire College to run its
apprenticeship programme on a national basis, the college said
yes.
The number of Rolls-Royce apprentices being trained at the college
has grown exponentially in recent years. In 2006, eight engineering
apprentices began their training. By 2008, the number had increased
to 26, all aged between 16 and 22, with a similar number starting
in late 2009.
Rob Bird, Apprentice Development Leader for Rolls-Royce is very
clear on their need to train young staff. “The company needs to
invest in the future to take the business forward. We have an
ageing workforce and there is a shortfall in skilled people. The
business is growing on a global scale and as a consequence we need
to employ more young people.”
So important is the training to the jet engine manufacturer that it
has invested in setting up the Rolls-Royce Centre at the college’s
Trident centre in Warwick, equipped with two gas turbine engines
purely - for training purposes. Apprentices spend their first year
learning the theory of their trade in the classroom, either at the
Rolls-Royce Centre or in the college workshops.
In the second year, they spend four days a week in the workplace at
the company’s Ansty engineering works, where engines are
refurbished and components made, and one day a week at college.
“Before we developed the Rolls-Royce Centre, our apprentices used
to train on car engines. We see the new facility as product
familiarisation,” said Rob. “That is how we have moved forward with
Warwickshire College.
He said that the company was attending jobs fairs and school
visits to recruit young people, and are also actively encouraging
more females to take up engineering apprenticeships.