Bentley Motors and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars are both currently looking to attract the next generation of talent to their respective 2026 apprenticeship schemes.
The two luxury marques, long regarded as flagbearers for UK craftsmanship and engineering, are seeking dozens of young people to join programmes that combine hands-on experience at their historic production sites with nationally recognised qualifications.
The announcements come as new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show automotive apprenticeship starts have risen by a third over the past year.
Pathways from shop floor to boardroom
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars described its apprenticeship scheme as a “key facet” of its Future Talent programme, which also encompasses internships and graduate placements. Since the initiative began in 2006, more than 200 apprentices have completed training at the company’s Goodwood headquarters, with the majority remaining in permanent roles. A number have progressed into senior management.
The 2026 cohort will include opportunities from Level 2 to Level 6, spanning areas such as interior trim, vehicle production, paint engineering, metrology and sales operations. Most apprenticeships will begin in August 2026 and will be delivered in partnership with local further and higher education providers.
Matthias Treubel, director of human resources at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said the programme had become integral to the company’s long-term development. “The Apprentice programme is something we are immensely proud of at Rolls-Royce, and it remains one of the most respected future talent programmes in the country,” he commented. “Our apprentices gain hands-on experience across a broad range of business areas, including project management, manufacturing and engineering. They are vital to the continued development of our business.”
Treubel added that the breadth of qualification levels meant the scheme could accommodate a wide range of ambitions and backgrounds, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to nurturing home-grown skills.
Bentley links training to electrified future
At Bentley Motors, the new intake forms part of the company’s Beyond100+ strategy, which will see the Crewe manufacturer transition to an electrified model line-up over the coming decade. The business said apprentices would be directly involved in that transformation, working at the “Dream Factory” alongside experienced engineers and craftspeople.
The 2026 programme will cover Manufacturing, R&D, Sales and Marketing, Finance, Quality, Mulliner and Strategy, with apprenticeships beginning in September. Bentley is offering Advanced, Higher and Degree routes, providing progression up to bachelor’s and master’s level.
Dr Karen Lange, Member of the Board for People and Culture at Bentley Motors, linked the initiative to the company’s long-term competitiveness. “For 40 years, our apprenticeship programmes have been a powerful engine for innovation, craftsmanship and progress, enabling talented individuals to turn ambition into impact,” she said. “As we transform Bentley through our Beyond100+ strategy, it is the curiosity, creativity and technical excellence of the next generation that will define how we lead the industry forward.”
Image credit: Bentley Motors.
Real-world exposure
Current apprentices at Bentley have spoken of the unusual level of responsibility afforded to them early in their careers. Sophie Reynolds, a Degree Apprentice in Product Strategy, said the relatively compact nature of the organisation allowed young employees to engage with senior leaders and see the full lifecycle of a luxury vehicle.
“Being within the luxury automotive sector, you get a real understanding of the impact of a customer, and how every team in the business contributes to industry-leading excellence,” she explained. Reynolds has completed placements across manufacturing, R&D and product line delivery, as well as a period with Porsche, and was recently named Business Apprentice Rising Star at the MAKE UK awards.
Investing in skills
Both manufacturers stressed that apprenticeships were not peripheral training schemes but central pipelines for future expertise. Rolls-Royce noted that many alumni remain at Goodwood two decades after the programme began, while Bentley highlighted four decades of former apprentices who have become engineers, leaders and innovators.
With the automotive sector facing rapid technological change, from electrification to digital manufacturing, the companies believe structured vocational routes are essential to maintaining the UK’s reputation for high-value production. By aligning their recruitment campaigns with National Apprenticeship Week, the two brands hope to attract candidates who might not previously have considered a career in luxury automotive.
For prospective applicants, the message from both firms is clear: apprenticeships offer a direct route into some of the most prestigious names in global manufacturing, with the prospect of long-term careers helping to define the next era of motoring.
Applications for Rolls-Royce close on 28 February, while Bentley Motors’ applications close on 20 February.
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