Eleven students are celebrating after graduating from the pre-apprenticeship scheme of engineering firm adi Group.
Adi Group’s pre-apprenticeship scheme, which was the first to launch in the UK, offers students aged 14 to 16 the chance to learn hands-on engineering skills in a real working environment.
For one afternoon a week over two years, students get the chance to earn an EAL-accredited qualification.
During a graduation event held at adi Group’s headquarters in Kings Norton, Birmingham, the 11 students who graduated from the pre-apprenticeship scheme received their certificates.
Two students also earned a full-time apprenticeship at the engineering firm.
Bromsgrove student Lewis Smith, 16, said of his achievement: “It’s really been a unique experience. I know now that when it comes to applying for full-time work in the future, I’ll have something over the competition.”
“Mechanical and electrical engineering are two sectors to get great experience in, so I’m really looking forward to what the future might hold.”
Travis Cashmore, also 16, added about the experience: “Everyone was really welcoming and friendly. The mentors made it really easy to get used to the work, so I do feel like I have some great skills to take into full-time work.”
Commenting on the night and the students’ achievements, adi Group strategic account director James Sopwith said: “At adi we firmly believe in the need to expose youngsters to potential new career pathways at a much earlier age.”
“[Graduation] night was not only evidence of the success of our approach, but also a demonstration of how committed we are to making our communities much more sustainable.
Sopwith continued: “Our investment in these students extends far beyond just delivering quality local jobs, it’s also part of an ethos here at adi to engineer a better future, where businesses and schools of all sectors work together to improve prospects across the region.”
“As a company that works with some of the biggest brands in the world, we’re looking forward to showing these students even further the exciting work available on UK soil.”
Going one step further, adi Group has created a guide for other UK businesses to copy its model and create similar partnerships with local schools.
