National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the vital role apprentices play in shaping the UK’s manufacturing sector. At Bridgnorth Aluminium, it’s also a chance to shine a spotlight on the next generation of talent who are helping drive innovation, efficiency and growth across the business.
“Anything that raises the profile of apprenticeships is critical to manufacturing,” says Adam Thorpe, L&D Supervisor at Bridgnorth Aluminium. “During National Apprenticeship Week, we’ll be doing lots of shouting on social media about what we are doing and how our rising stars are progressing.”
Apprentices making a real impact
Bridgnorth Aluminium apprentices are not just learning on the job, they are actively contributing to projects and delivering tangible results. Take Kieran Jones, for example. Under supervision, he supported complex work on the £600,000 Schmutz line, producing results above what is normally expected at his stage.
Similarly, Sam Foster, a Level 4 casthouse apprentice, is taking on higher-level responsibilities alongside area leads. This stretch work accelerates his career while generating real benefits for the business.
Longer-serving apprentices like Cameron Hampton illustrate the potential of a complete Bridgnorth apprenticeship journey. Cameron joined six years ago, completed his Level 3 and Level 4, and is now an electrical maintenance engineer. Pivotal to the casthouse, he leads projects, liaises with stakeholders, and mentors newer apprentices, helping them settle in and develop their skills.
Brad Baker is another success story. Since joining in 2020 as an Engineering Technician Level 3 apprentice, he has progressed into the fleet team. Now undergoing additional FLT maintenance training, he is a key part of keeping the company’s vehicles compliant and fully operational.
Broad programmes, hands-on experience
Bridgnorth Aluminium offers apprenticeships across engineering (including electrical), HR, sales, and IT. Each apprentice receives hands-on experience and structured support, with regular communication between the business and training providers to ensure they get the help they need.
Currently, ten apprentices are employed across the business, each gaining practical experience while building the foundation for long-term, skilled careers.
The benefits are clear
For apprentices, Bridgnorth’s programme offers a clear route into a skilled career, allowing them to earn while learning, gain real-world experience, and access mentoring and development opportunities.
For the company, apprenticeships help build a pipeline of skilled employees tailored to business needs, supporting succession planning in key technical areas while bringing fresh ideas and innovation into the business. Strong links with local communities and educational providers further strengthen the programme.
Support, mentorship and motivation
At Bridgnorth, apprentices are supported every step of the way. Each is assigned a mentor, supervisor, and an L&D lead, with regular progress reviews, goal setting, and problem-solving. Apprentices benefit from both on-the-job and classroom-based learning, with additional opportunities for training that go beyond the apprenticeship itself.
Department rotations also help apprentices develop a broader understanding of the business, giving them insight into different areas and the chance to acquire versatile skills.
Looking to the future
Bridgnorth Aluminium is committed to expanding and enhancing its apprenticeship programme. Plans include strengthening partnerships with local colleges and technical training centres, increasing early-career engagement through taster sessions, work experience, and school outreach and continuing to leverage resources like the Marches Careers Hub.
A particularly exciting upcoming initiative is an air leak testing course, where five apprentices will take on extra responsibility for detecting and monitoring faults—potentially saving the business thousands of pounds in costs.
Bridgnorth Aluminium’s apprenticeships are about more than training—they are about developing people, driving innovation, and securing the future of the aluminium manufacturing industry. Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and real responsibility, the company is shaping careers and building a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.