For over four decades, SPE Precision Components have been manufacturing and supplying a wide range of components for a variety of specialised industries and clients. To do that we need the very best machinery, technology, premises… and staff. Without an outstanding team, the first three in the list are negated.
We produce high precision components for varied and demanding specialised industries, backed up with superb customer care. For all of this to happen, a professional, skilled, focused and talented team is required – fortunately, we are blessed in that regard. Our 28,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility hosts a team that we are rightly proud of, including seven apprentices who have all made an outstanding start to life at SPE. Our apprentices are:
Adam Benton, who was awarded the NSEGTA Chairman’s Award in December 2023 (Apprentice of the Year). Adam is a level 3 apprentices and is 19 years old. He has been with SPE for 3 years and received a Distinction for his level 2.
Chris Walsh is 18 years old and has worked here for 2 years. Chris too received a Distinction at Level 2 and is about to start his level 3.
Another making a great impression is 20-year-old Brandon Smith, currently undertaking his level 3. Brandon started at SPE in 2021, and he also received a Distinction in his level 2. Whilst 19-year-old level 3 apprentice Dan Sheen has been with us for just over a year after undertaking his level 2 prior to joining.
Alex Hopwood worked for two years elsewhere before joining us two years ago. 20 years old, Alex is currently undertaking his level 3, whilst Harrison Kelsall has only been here for seven months but is undertaking his level 2. Our final apprentice is 16-year-old Owen Spooner, who has just started with the company.
Our aim is to help our apprentices and future apprentices (indeed, all staff!) to develop professionally and reach their full potential. To do that, we create a positive, progressive work climate which values our staff, trains and develops them, and invests in them and the environment around them.
In recent years, the UK has seen a resurgence in the popularity of apprenticeships, as they bridge the gap between traditional education and the practical skills needed in the workforce. Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of providing apprentices with valuable experience while enabling employers to cultivate a skilled workforce tailored to their specific needs.
So, why does SPE Precision Components place so much emphasis on apprenticeships?
There are a number of reasons, but firstly, we know how much apprentices add to our company community. They help us to provide the next generation of new engineering specialists, and they bring with them the likes of innovation, energy, increased productivity, and improved staff retention to our team.
Apprentices are a key part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy – and as well as the benefits above, there are also further benefits for our company and the broader community too, such as youth employment and skills development; supporting and engaging local communities and building positive relationships with them; promoting social mobility; building a sustainable workforce; producing a talent pipeline; improving employee retention; producing a positive public image; and assisting stakeholder engagement.
Apprenticeships represent a strategic investment in the future of any business – and we are no different. As the UK economy continues to evolve, and as SPE Precision Components also evolves, the role of apprenticeships in addressing skills shortages, fostering community engagement, and supporting long-term business growth will only become more critical. For businesses looking to thrive in a competitive market, embracing apprenticeships is not just an option— we believe that it is a necessity.
