• • • NEWS • • •
BGEN boosts apprentice learning during National Apprenticeship Week
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)
he 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.
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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 and 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.
Additional quotes from BGEN apprentices
Megan Thomas, Commercial Assistant and Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveyor, joined BGEN in 2022. She says: “BGEN and my mentors have been incredibly supportive throughout my apprenticeship journey. I’m currently enrolled at Warrington Vale College, studying Level 4 quantity surveying to become a qualified quantity surveyor.
Going through the apprenticeship programme has helped me to gain many new skills and knowledge through a combination of hands-on work and training. My apprenticeship has helped me get to where I am today and I’m excited about my future career prospects thanks to the skills I’m acquiring.” Scott Kinsella, Framework Manager and Level 7 Senior Leader Apprentice, joined BGEN in 2010. He says: “Being an apprentice has allowed me contribute to real projects at BGEN while developing my knowledge. I successfully completed my bachelor’s degree, achieving a 1st class with honours, which supported me in becoming a contracts manager before more recently being promoted to framework manager. I began a Level 7 strategic management and leadership practice diploma and plan to continue my study with the one-year top up master’s degree at Bolton University. This apprenticeship is giving me the skills and qualifications to build a successful career and it has opened doors to a career path that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.” Daniel McGahan, Apprentice Quantity
Surveyor and Level 6 Chartered Surveyor, joined BGEN in 2021. He adds: “An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to gain practical skills while earning a living, and BGEN has provided me with
comprehensive training to support my continuous professional development. As I approach the final stages of my
apprenticeship, I am grateful for the opportunities and knowledge I’ve gained. BGEN offers a diverse range of experiences across different areas of the business. Training and development are deeply embedded in BGEN’s core values, ensuring all apprentices like me are equipped to thrive.” For further information about BGEN, visit Careers – BGEN (
b-gen.co.uk)
electricalengieneeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • FEBRUARY 2025 7
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