British engineering company Rolls-Royce is building a new apprentice academy centre which will double the number of apprentices it can train each year, helped by funding from BIS.
Based at the Learning and Career Development Centre in Derby, the 200 extra apprentices will be employed in the company’s supply chain and manufacturing operations across the East Midlands. Rolls-Royce has been awarded £6m of funding from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills to support the development.
Sir John Rose, Rolls-Royce chief executive, said: “A highly skilled workforce is essential to high value added manufacturing. This expansion will raise standards in our supply chain and among SMEs who do not have the capacity or experience to develop their own apprentice training. I am grateful to the Government for their support and delighted that Rolls-Royce can offer greater opportunities to the many young men and women who wish to pursue a career in engineering”.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable added: “Rolls-Royce has a proud reputation for delivering some of the best apprenticeships in the business, setting a standard that firms from all sectors should emulate. By supporting an enhanced number of apprenticeships, that will also enable smaller firms within the supply chain to recruit highly trained staff, the company is making an invaluable contribution to the performance of its sector and the strength of the wider community.”
With a 98% retention rate, 90% of Rolls-Royce apprentices go on to achieve higher qualifications. A third of the company’s senior UK managers began their careers as apprentices.
