National Apprenticeship Week: How Verallia is Supporting Glass Engineering Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships provide people with the opportunity to learn new skills and knowledge, while also becoming financially stable. That’s why we’re passionate about providing our workers with a range of glass engineering apprenticeship schemes, that give them the change to step up their skillset with on-the-job training.

Read on to here why some of our employees chose to pursue glass engineering apprenticeships over other traditional routes, as well as learn if Verallia UK’s on-the-job training is right for you.

What is a Glass Engineering Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a government-funded scheme that offer hands-on work experience and on-the-job training, alongside a fair wage. In comparison to other educational routes such as A-levels or University, they combine vocational experience with qualifications and are therefore best suited for those who want to learn from action rather than a textbook.

Verallia UK’s Glass Engineering Apprenticeships allow future engineers to gain both broader engineering skills, as well as those specific to our state-of-the-art glass blowing facilities. By the end of their teaching our apprentices have developed a strong technical skillset as well as a qualification that meets the professional standards of the Engineering Council. Allowing our apprentices to kickstart their careers in manufacturing.

Verallia’s Glass Engineering Apprenticeships Offering

We believe that investing in apprenticeships not only helps us to ensure that the adaptability and innovation seen within our workforce is top level, but that each of our employees has the chance to increase their knowledge and prepare for their future. That’s why we:

• Currently employ 14 apprentices across our Knottingley and Leeds sites
• Plan to employ a further 9 apprentices over the course of 2024.
• Offer a range of apprenticeship qualifications starting at Level 3 courses (the equivalent of an A-Level) all the way to achieving a Masters Qualification.

Of these qualifications, there are two key courses that you can pursue:

1. Glass Engineer: This qualification allows you to produce complex high value, low volume components or assemblies in full or part, using machines, equipment, or systems, to the required specification. For example, turbines, gearboxes, production lines.
2. Maintenance & Operations Engineering Technician (MOET): This qualification teaches you how to maintain the safety, integrity, and effective operation or plant and equipment in industries that are part of the engineering sector.

Both of these qualifications are nationally recognised and can be studied at multiple accredited levels. 

Why Our Team Chose a Glass Engineering Apprenticeship

As of 2022, over 1.7 million people over the age of 18 were participating in apprenticeship qualifications across the UK, and some of those were studying right here at Verallia! To see why our current, and former, apprentices choose to study with Verallia, we sat down with three of them to see what they had to say…

Jonathan Meadows, former apprentice and Engineering Manager at our Knottingley site:

“When I left school, I wanted to earn my own money. I’ve always had a job; it was always instilled in me to work. I knew I didn’t want to go to university or anything like that, I just wanted to make sure that whatever I was doing on a daily basis was putting something back into service or repairing something. I think it’s important to get satisfaction out of your day, so the mechanical and electrical apprenticeships have given me that opportunity.”    

George Bulmer, former apprentice at Verallia and current Mould Shop Machinist at our Knottingley site:

“I’m a lot more hands on. I come from a farming background, so being behind a computer is not my thing at all… I’m hands on with everything. That’s why an apprenticeship was perfect for me.”

Luke Langton, former Verallia apprentice and current Team Leader in our Mechanicals Department:

“I’d say 100% go for apprenticeship… we are lacking engineers across the country and you’re not just getting paid to do the job but you’re also learning as you go and progressing throughout.”

Kickstart Your Career with Verallia

If you’re looking to study in an innovative industry and boost you career credentials, then contact our HR team today, and see what apprenticeships you could be eligible for. Or head over to our website to see what other employment opportunities we have on offer.