Luvata Welshpool Grows Future Workforce with an Apprenticeship Program

Image: Arthur Leighton is one of the many Luvata Welshpool apprentice graduates.

Luvata Welshpool runs an apprenticeship program that offers students a hands-on route into engineering and trains a skilled workforce for the company. The program has been the start of engineering careers for dozens of people. Many of them are still working at Luvata Welshpool today.

The Luvata Welshpool apprenticeship program is a paid, three-year engineering apprenticeship, typically aimed at people starting their careers after leaving school. It’s a long-standing commitment to developing skills, people, and the future of Luvata Welshpool.

“The program plays a vital role in securing the future workforce. As we train people from the very start, they learn how to do things properly in our way and grow with the company,” says Matt Rogers, Senior Process Development Engineer, who is responsible for the apprenticeship program at Luvata Welshpool.

The apprenticeship program has strong support from top management. Managing Director of Luvata Welshpool, Rhys Jones, began his career through a similar apprenticeship program, and highly appreciates it as a way of learning:

“I’ve seen first‑hand the value this type of training brings to both individuals, the business and local community. Apprenticeships remain a vital part of how we build skills and talent at Luvata, and they will continue to be strongly supported while I am Managing Director.”

How does the Luvata Welshpool apprenticeship program work?

Luvata Welshpool works closely with colleges nearby to recruit apprentices. The company welcomes one to three apprentices annually for a program that combines formal education with hands-on work experience at the Luvata site.

During the first year, apprentices spend three days a week at college to complete a general mechanical engineering foundation, including a Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations qualification. The rest is spent in Luvata’s training school, where Matt and other Luvata colleagues teach the apprentices core skills such as machining and basic engineering practices.

In the following two years, apprentices progress to Level 3 qualifications while spending most of their time working at Luvata. They attend college one day per week and continue developing their skills on the shop floor in real production and engineering environments.

From apprentices to skilled workforce

The goal is that after finishing the apprenticeship program, apprentices move into permanent roles within Luvata Welshpool. While employment cannot always be guaranteed, the intention is to develop long-term employees.

“40% of our employees have started their career here via the apprenticeship program. It’s safe to say that the program has been an effective path to permanent roles,” Matt says.

Growing future talents is not only strategic but also rewarding. Matt enjoys working with the apprentices, especially the opportunity to pass on useful knowledge.

“You get to know people at a young age and see how quickly they grow. It’s always rewarding to see that light‑bulb moment where suddenly something I’ve taught makes sense for the apprentice and later to see them using their skills independently.”

“I found my mentor and coworkers to be supportive and very knowledgeable, making the learning process enjoyable as I got into some basic design work alongside complex machining. The training facilities are some of the best in the area, with the designated training school containing well-cared-for equipment, which takes what was taught at college to a much higher level and understanding.”

— Arthur, Luvata Welshpool apprenticeship graduate

The Luvata Welshpool training school is currently under development.