From HNC to engineering degree: Holroyd’s modern apprentices graduate with honours

Posted by on 19 Jul 2018

When three young adults joined Holroyd Precision’s modern apprenticeship programme back in 2011, little could they imagine that as well as securing an exciting career, they would each achieve BEng (Hons).

For Danny Quirk, Owen Camps and Rhys Garlick, however, that’s precisely what happened – and in July 2018, after seven years of hard work, the boys will proudly graduate from the University of Huddersfield. After completing Holroyd’s four-year apprenticeship programme - which includes on-the-job training, a HNC in Mechanical Engineering and learning key engineering skills with training provider Rochdale Training - the apprentices were invited to continue their studies to degree-level.

Investing in our workforce
“As a company, we are committed to investing in our workforce,” comments HR Manager, Mary MCGrath. “Indeed, as part of our strategy of maintaining the exacting engineering standards that Holroyd Precision is renowned for, every year we look to take on a number of young people, developing their skills through a strong, engineering-based apprenticeship programme that typically takes four years to complete. When we see exceptional talent, such as in the case of Danny, Owen and Rhys, we are also more than happy to invest further, by providing sponsorship to degree-level study and beyond. We really do aim to provide our employees with the best opportunities available.

“Equally importantly,” she continues, “when interviewing for each year’s apprentices, we look very carefully at where future skills gaps may exist in our business, as well as market trends and the ongoing development of our technologies.  This not only ensures sound succession planning, but also gives each apprentice a very real career opportunity to work towards.”

As proof of the value of the Holroyd apprenticeship programme, in addition to securing a BEng (Hons) degree, Holroyd’s graduates of 2018 have achieved impressive careers with the company.

Danny Quirk is a design engineer working on Holroyd’s Powerstir friction stir welding programme. Employed as a software engineer, Owen Camps is busy developing programming technologies for Holroyd’s machine tools – while, having shown real flair for Holroyd’s component measuring technologies, Rhys Garlick is employed as a quality engineer with Holroyd Precision Rotors.

“Working at the same time as studying at degree-level was hard, but well worth it,” adds Rhys Garlick. “Holroyd has provided all three of us with an amazing opportunity and supported us throughout our studies.”

Holroyd Precision is currently recruiting for its 2018 apprenticeship programme. For more information visit: www.holroyd.com/general/ptg-holroyd-jobs.php