BGEN boosts apprentice learning during National Apprenticeship Week
Posted by: electime 14th February 2025
- BGEN hosts largest ever early careers conference
- Company’s apprenticeship academy now supports 100+ apprentices
- Commitment to recruit 20 additional apprentices throughout 2025
BGEN, one of the UK’s largest engineering companies specialising in mechanical, electrical,
instrumentation, control and automation, has been shining the spotlight on its apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February). The engineering business, which has pledged to recruit 20 more apprentices this year, is rounding off the week by hosting it largest ever early careers conference to help its apprentices boost the skills and knowledge they need for a rewarding career.
More than 60 BGEN apprentices gathered to learn and collaborate at the event and celebrate the contribution they make to the business and the local economy. The delegates explored a number of important topics on the day, including mental wellbeing, health and safety and sustainability.
“An apprenticeship can be such a rewarding route into employment, offering real on the job experience and earning while learning,” says Jenny Jackson, training officer at BGEN. “BGEN strives to address the skills gap and encourage more people into engineering and we will continue to invest significantly in our apprentices and support them as they develop a skill set which will benefit both themselves and our clients.”
BGEN is committed to creating rewarding, successful career paths for apprentices. Ian McWha began his career with the firm 28 years ago in 1997 and has risen up the ranks from an apprentice to become managing director of the Technology Strategic Business Unit.
Ian says: “The hands-on experience I gained through my own apprenticeship was invaluable. Learning on the job was the best way for me to develop new skills that opened up a long and successful career path at BGEN. I’m proud of what I have achieved since completing my apprenticeship 24 years ago and I would recommend this as a very worthwhile route for others.”
The business, which employs 1500 people across 14 locations in the UK, has recently expanded its apprenticeship academy, which now supports more than 100 apprentices, learning from Level 3 to Level 7. It is a gold member of leading skills charity and employer movement The 5 per cent Club, with at least 5 per cent of its workforce benefitting from skills-based learning opportunities as apprentices and graduates.
For further information about BGEN, visit Careers – BGEN (b-gen.co.uk).
