Nurturing The Next Generation

(Charlie Murray, Engineering Apprentice at Don Whitley Scientific)

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

We are deeply committed to encouraging the next generation and one of the ways we do this is by creating more study opportunities. We have taken on 16 apprentices aged between 16-18 in the past 12 years, the majority all of whom still work at DWS in production, service or research and design.

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

“The apprenticeship scheme has gone from strength to strength over the 12 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”.

(Left to right: Pauls Gertners, Fergus Murray, Jake Allen, Callum Milthorpe and Paul Walton)

Nurturing the next generation is incredibly important to us here at DWS, which is why we offer a regular number of places on our apprenticeship scheme. We constantly strive to offer job opportunities and training to those who are passionate about a career in engineering. We currently have six apprentices within our team who are completing engineering qualifications whilst gaining practical experience on the job, training alongside our specialists. Three of our students have just completed their HND qualifications and graduated from Bradford College (pictured above).

We spoke with our current and past apprentices to see what they had to say about the apprenticeship scheme.

“The apprenticeship scheme at Don Whitley Scientific helped me to narrow down 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 helped me decide which sector of engineering I enjoy the most.”

– Olivia Kirkbright, production apprentice, started 2022.

“I really enjoyed my time as an apprentice at DWS, and as a newly qualified engineer in the service department I recommend the scheme if you are interested in a career within engineering.” 

– Callum Milthorpe, newly qualified engineer, qualified 2022.

We are always on the lookout for new talent, so if you are aged between 16 and 18 and would like to apply for an apprenticeship with DWS, please head over to our website for more information or contact clare_duckworth@dwscientific.co.uk with your CV.