Ferndown-based manufacturer Superior has witnessed a surge in enquiries from prospective apprentices looking to join its award-winning apprenticeship programme, backing the latest research by UCAS where more than three quarters (78%) of students who have received A-Level results do not plan to immediately start a three year full-time undergraduate degree but are interested in starting an apprenticeship.
With the number of applications increasing, Superior has doubled the amount of apprentice positions available for a September 2021 start date across all five of its facilities and while students across Dorset are thinking on what to do next after A-Levels, Tim Brown, managing director of Superior, is urging more students to consider a Superior apprenticeship.
Tim Brown MBE, managing director of Superior, says: “We know just how nerve-wracking this period of time can be for school leavers. An immense amount of pressure is put on these results and a young person’s next steps after receiving them. My message to all those who have received their grades is that this isn’t the defining moment of your life. Whether you are elated or deflated, another day will come that’ll bring new opportunities.
“University has often been seen as the only route to a successful career, but apprenticeships can be a great way to give someone the skills needed to get the job they want. We started our award-winning Superior Academy in 2012 to enable us to invest in people so they can build a strong foundation for a career they love and in an environment in which they can thrive. Since then, we have seen more than 50 school leavers take huge strides in their career and, I am sure for them, A Level results day is a distant memory now.
“Going to university isn’t the only way to get a degree. With our in-house training and traineeships, we are able to provide qualifications, including degrees to anyone in the business. This means that at any stage of their career any Superior employee can develop their skills and understanding of a relevant subject while benefiting from the security of employment.”
He adds: “We are committed to delivering the best possible experience to our apprentices as they play an incredible role in helping us to deliver our components to some of the world’s finest manufacturing companies in a diverse range of sectors including medical, electronics, food and beverage, engineering and automotive.”
Superior is a family-owned manufacturer and supplier of high integrity o-rings and seals and although renowned for engineering and material science apprenticeships, the company also offer apprenticeships in manufacturing, accounts, IT, maintenance, business administration and sales from intermediate, advanced to higher and degree level.
Successful apprentices will spend one year training at the Superior Academy with full support from the dedicated training manager, followed by a rotational placement in different areas of the business where technical experts will mentor and support each person. Apprenticeships require a minimum of two years’ commitment and up to six years for a Masters’ qualification.
One Superior apprentice who decided to take the apprenticeship route following her A Levels was Rebecca Love and says: “I’m so pleased that I took the apprenticeship route as I feel I’m gaining more from learning on the job. There is no limit to how high and how far an apprentice can go at Superior. I have the opportunity to gain university-level qualifications through my apprenticeship which is fantastic.”
There are apprenticeship opportunities available across multiple engineering disciplines for an Autumn start at Superior. Katie Bodman and Liam Stratten, who head up the training academy, are available to take calls via 01202 854341 and respond to emails from any school leavers who would like further information on the programme.
More details about Superior’s Apprenticeship Academy, can be found on the company website Superiorltd.com/academy/.