National Apprenticeship Week 2023, 6th - 12th February 2023
Image Caption: Back Row - Callum and Omari. Front Row - Jack, Harrison and Elliot.

A Commitment to Apprenticeships

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023 brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to spotlight the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2023 is "Skills for Life" and this truly represents how Don Whitley Scientific (DWS) approaches its apprenticeship scheme. We have always believed that apprenticeships help individuals to develop the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career. Also, as a business we are able to develop a talented workforce equipped with the real-world skills for them to build a future with us.

Recent ONS figures state that there are now 78,000 manufacturing job vacancies. Some manufacturers are finding it difficult to recruit and retain the right talent in such challenging times. However, DWS has been running its apprenticeship scheme for 12 years with much success. In that time, we have taken on 16 apprentices aged between 16-18 and the majority still work at DWS in production, service or research and design. We currently have six apprentices who are completing engineering qualifications whilst gaining practical experience on the job, training alongside our specialists. Three of our colleagues have just completed their HND qualifications and graduated from Bradford College.

Fergus Murray, Engineering Director, and head of the apprenticeship scheme at DWS commented:

“The apprenticeship scheme has gone from strength to strength over the years it has been running. It has been the main vehicle for succession planning here at DWS and has proven to be a hugely successful pathway to developing ‘homegrown’ skills and expertise. We envisage it continuing well into the future”.

“The apprenticeship scheme at Don Whitley Scientific helped me to figure out which direction I wanted my career to go in. The ability to complete my HND while learning practical skills on the job was really beneficial.” – Jake Allen, newly qualified engineer, qualified 2022.

“I think the apprenticeship scheme has helped me to acquire more engineering-based skills. The scheme has also helped me decide which sector of engineering I enjoy the most.” – Olivia Kirkbright, production apprentice, started 2022.

Don Whitley Scientific is very proud of it’s involvement in guiding future generations as part of the DWS apprenticeship scheme. Our daily business practices include the design, manufacturing, and servicing of laboratory equipment for a variety of scientific disciplines.