With National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2023 well underway, leading heating and hot water manufacturer Worcester Bosch has found a few celebrities who were apprentices before finding fame and fortune.
The company has just opened applications for its apprenticeship schemes, offering the opportunity to learn essential life and career skills. With financial support provided, apprenticeships are the ideal education route for all ages and walks of life – including school leavers, job changers and those looking to broaden their experiences in new ways.
The company has discovered a number of famous people who have first-hand experience of a skilled apprentice:
- Sir Michael Caine – Started off as a plumber before becoming a big-screen star
- Sir Billy Connolly – Worked as a welder in a shipyard for five years
- Elvis Presley – The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll was a trainee electrician before taking the music world by storm
- Conor McGregor – The Notorious MMA fighter became a plumber by trade, working full-time whilst also training to become a world champion.
- Ross Brawn OBE – The Formula 1 powerhouse used his apprenticeship as a mechanical engineer on his way to becoming an F1 team owner
- Jon Cauldwell – The billionaire businessman abandoned his A-levels in favour of a practical apprenticeship, starting his career as an engineer
Apprenticeships spanning many topics are open regularly across the year, and applications are always welcome for those looking for a direction change. Worcester Bosch is committed to providing educational opportunities with 25 apprentices recruited each year. Whilst 44% of those recruited are between 19-21, there is also a notable trend for those interested in changing their career later in life, with 24% of Worcester Bosch apprentices over the past five years being 26 or older.
The Cecil Duckworth Apprenticeship
Founded in 2021 in memory of Worcester Bosch’s founder, the Cecil Duckworth apprenticeship scheme provides a four-year rotational programme with mentorship support and an opportunity to study for a Level 3 Engineering qualification, with a guaranteed permanent position at the company.
Worcester-based Matthew Dutson, 21, who is a recipient of the first Cecil Duckworth apprenticeship, has utilised his passion for engineering, maths and physics, rotating between the Tool Room and Maintenance departments to design new prototypes and repair products.
Matthew commented: “My grandad was an apprentice electrician and he really inspired me. No subject stood out for university and financially this made sense. Learning new skills every day, having hands on experience and training for qualifications has built my confidence, so I can only encourage more to follow.”
Martyn Bridges, director of technical services at Worcester Bosch, said: “At Worcester Bosch, we have been committed to providing educational opportunities for many years, and want to invest in the future. This National Apprenticeship Week, we would love to encourage anyone to apply for the Cecil Duckworth apprenticeship scheme, to help more aspirers develop their passions into a career.”
Find out more at www.bosch.co.uk.
