National Apprenticeships Week: how Glazerite’s apprentices are making their mark

As the cost of university education spirals, young people are looking at other ways to kick start their careers. Thanks to its ‘earn while you learn’ approach, an apprenticeship is the perfect fit for those who enjoy being able to put theory into practice and get paid in the process.  

For Glazerite UK Group Managing Director, Rob Brearley, it’s also the perfect solution for businesses looking to bring in and develop new talent. Rob explains: “We’ve got our largest ever cohort of apprentices on board, and every one of them is making their mark on our business. Our scheme covers every business function and includes a fair wage, relevant qualifications and off-the-job training and mentoring, giving each apprentice opportunities across Glazerite.”

The trade fabricator currently has eight apprentices working across technical, purchasing, IT, marketing, and HR, including 18-year-old Matthews Joshy, who had a role created especially for him following his standout success at the interview stage. Matthews says: “I chose to do an apprenticeship with Glazerite because they are stable and ambitious. I was initially looking to do an administrative role but I’m now working in a technical role, which is really pushing me to develop new skills and is giving me a great foundation for my career in fenestration.”

HR & Marketing Apprentice Sophie Toseland says the balance of working across HR and Marketing has been ideal. She says: “I knew I wanted to work in business but it’s hard to know what area to focus on until you’ve had some experience.  My role is helping me gain knowledge and insight across both functions, which will help me to make a more informed decision about my future career.”

George Willdig, 22, joined Glazerite as an Apprentice IT Administrator last year. He says: “I chose to do an apprenticeship as I believe that the IT industry is more focused on experience than diplomas and degrees.  I’m really enjoying it and have learned a lot already.”

Lewis Montgomery, 19, is an Apprentice Purchasing Administrator at Glazerite’s North West Division and is currently working towards his Level 3 NVQ in Business Admin. “I chose an apprenticeship as a way to earn while I learn and build my confidence,” says Lewis. “I love working for Glazerite; it’s a great place to learn all aspects of purchasing alongside other business areas.”

22-year-old Joshua Mann is just about to complete his Level 3 apprenticeship in Digital Marketing. He says: “Doing an apprenticeship has significantly helped to jumpstart my career. I joined Glazerite as I knew I would be able to gain lots of hands-on experience and grow my understanding of marketing through the expertise of my colleagues. I would highly recommend the apprenticeship route to others.”

Robert Suttle, 24, has just completed his apprenticeship and has been placed in his new role in Purchasing. He says: “I have gained so many different skills, including my ability to think critically and to analyse data, which will really help me succeed in my career. Glazerite has been a fantastic employer and really supportive.”

Group MD Rob concludes: “The age range of our current cohort of apprentices ranges from 16 through to 32, which demonstrates the value of the programme. It’s great to watch all of our apprentices grow in both knowledge and confidence. We have some great talent to work with as we continue to grow as a business and will certainly continue with apprenticeships going forward.”

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Editors notes

The Glazerite UK Group Ltd is one of the largest fabricators of VEKA UK Group products, servicing trade installers for domestic and commercial installations across the UK. Glazerite combines the delivery of high-quality products, exceptional customer service and manufacturing expertise with unrivalled business support packages tailored to meet the needs of its installer partners. Headquartered in Wellingborough, Northants, the fabricator has a 3500 frames per week capacity and employs 270 people across its sites in Peterborough, Bristol, Bolton, Barnsley, and Wellingborough.