Manufacturing apprenticeships on the rise in East of England

A number of the region’s leading organisations are marking this year’s National Apprenticeship Week (which runs until February 17) with fresh apprenticeship opportunities.

World leading Coding & Marking company, Domino is offering three roles – two within R & D Software – at its Bar Hill headquarters and an engineering position at its Liverpool inks plant.

Since the company’s award-winning Apprentice Scheme was launched in 2016, 37 apprentices have benefitted from being able to earn while they learn at Domino. Several have been nominated for national awards from industry bodies including Make UK and PPMA (the Processing and Packaging Machinery Association).

All apprentices are given a structured programme which starts with nine months spent on foundation modules and then a progression to six-monthly rotations in order to experience different areas of the business. On-the-job training is complemented by day release study at a local college or a distance learning course.

Rosie Celentano, HR Adviser at Domino said: “We are delighted to be launching our 2025 apprenticeship opportunities with these three roles. We will be inviting applications during February and March with interviews in March-April and successful applicants will start with us in September.”

Domino has also strengthened its commitment to apprenticeships by joining an Apprenticeship Cluster programme, a new initiative from Automate UK to address skills shortages in the manufacturing industry.

Mark Gearing, Print System Director at Domino said: “The ground-breaking Apprenticeship Cluster program aims to deliver top-tier opportunities for young people through a collaborative approach, with reciprocal training, team building events and value-added projects to benefit both employees and companies.”

The existing cohort of apprentices at Domino are appreciating the experience Liam Andrews said: “I have been able to dive into the world of manufacturing, working with real-world data and utilising course material to good practice.”

This is echoed by Charlie Stokes: “Domino has provided lots of opportunities and valuable career experience. Rotations are a big plus as I’m able to see different teams.”

Husain Mahomed has benefitted from working alongside studying. He says: “With the personal development plan, I aim to achieve certifications in different areas of the business and hope to gain memorable experiences whilst build a network of highly skilled professionals alongside completing a degree.”

Anglian Water, meanwhile, is encouraging talent at all stages, from school leavers to senior professionals, to apply to its apprenticeship programme as the company gears up to deliver its largest-ever year of investment for the East of England.

The water company is set to embark on the first of the five-year mammoth programme of work, worth almost £11 billion, and with its Alliance partners, aims to recruit around 90 apprentices this year across Construction, Energy & Utilities, Surveying and Science sectors.

The 90 new recruits will join more than 230 other apprentices already progressing through the company’s various apprenticeship programmes, developing essential skills in varied roles and earning while they learn.

Another company that has embraced apprenticeship programmes is Geosense, a manufacturer based just outside Bury St Edmunds that designs, builds, and exports geotechnical sensors worldwide.

John Fordham, Director of Operations at Geosense, emphasised the importance of alternative career paths: “We are firm believers that there are different routes in life. Our apprentices get hands-on experience in how a manufacturing business works while studying theoretical topics linked to the industry. This provides great insight into how theory is applied in real life.”

Currently, Geosense has four apprentices working across its quality and production departments. Ciaran, one of the apprentices, highlighted the benefits of the program: “I believe apprenticeships are a fantastic building block to start your career as it gives you the opportunity to work in a real-world environment while still learning new skills and gaining knowledge in areas you may not have experienced before.”

Tom, who began his journey as a Production Technician Apprentice added: “Geosense has allowed me to work towards qualification during my work hours whilst receiving hands-on learning & many transferable skills.”

Geosense partners with Tiro, a dedicated Science and Manufacturing training provider, to facilitate its apprenticeship programs. Hayley Hannaford from Tiro said: “This partnership is a great example of how apprenticeships can drive real business growth in the manufacturing sector while providing young people with outstanding career opportunities.”

1,000 partnerships

Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) has reached a major milestone, having struck partnerships with 1,000 different degree apprenticeship employers. ARU is one of the country’s largest providers of degree apprenticeships. Apprentices learn on the job, solving real-life problems as soon as they begin their courses.

ARU’s degree apprenticeship offering has extended rapidly, responding to growing demand from employers and learners. It now offers pathways across 29 professions, including Policing, Nursing, Social Work, Digital and Leadership. More than 6,400 people have now enrolled on degree apprenticeship courses at ARU, with more than 2,000 having now graduated.