Reliance Apprentice Scheme Application Window Over Halfway

The application window for Reliance Precision Limited’s (‘Reliance’) 2022 Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme is over halfway. Candidates have until 31 March 2022 to submit their application.

Established over 60 years ago, Reliance’s Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme enables young people the opportunity to begin a life-long career in engineering. The apprenticeship is a full-time role with generous salary and access to benefits such as healthcare and pension schemes. Over the course of the four-year scheme apprentices undertake hands-on learning in Reliance’s accredited training facility in Huddersfield, as well as attending Kirklees College Engineering Centre to study further educational qualifications.

Read first-hand the stories of apprentices on their journey through the scheme here, but typically:

• Year 1 is hands-on learning of core manufacturing and engineering skills in Reliance’s IMechE (The Institution of Mechanical Engineers) and IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology) accredited training facility
• Year 2 allows apprentices to experience working in different departments across manufacturing and also the wider company
• Year 3 provides the opportunity to specialise in one particular department within the business
• Year 4 allows further in-depth knowledge and practical experience to be gained in the chosen specialism.

At the end of four years apprentices have access to various roles throughout the organisation, often with their particular specialism.

Recognising that the specialist nature of their work makes finding engineers with the appropriate skills and knowledge challenging, Reliance’s Apprenticeship Scheme plays a key role in generating future talent for the business. Reliance recruits between four and six apprentices each year, achieving the goal of 10% of the workforce in apprenticeship. Now, just over a quarter of the full workforce has served a Reliance apprenticeship. The roles are wide and varied and include:

• Team leaders within the manufacturing and production environment. One such example is the Gear Cutting & Grinding Team Leader who has just celebrated 25 years at Reliance.
• A Senior Production Engineer within the Production Engineering Department who, after completing her apprenticeship, studied for a MEng in Mechanical Engineering before achieving Chartered Engineer status.
• The Head of Metrology who has risen through the business developing Reliance’s Inspection and Testing capabilities, and with over 20 years’ service is now a Chartered Engineer.
• Reliance’s Head of Production Engineering who plays a key role in engineering investment strategies and leading machine tool qualifications.
• A number of Technical Sales Engineers within the Standard Products Team.

Rob Farrell, Reliance’s Training School Team Leader, himself apprentice trained over 30 years ago comments “The Apprenticeship Scheme has proven to be a great way of beginning an engineering career. We are keen to recruit individuals who are motivated, honest and reliable with great problem solving and communication skills. In return for a positive approach to training, we aim to offer the best mechanical training in the region. It really is a great career opportunity for anyone who has a genuine interest in engineering and a drive to learn more.”

For further details about Reliance’s Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme or to download an application form please visit www.reliance.co.uk/apprenticeship-scheme/.