Apprenticeships & WEX
THOMAS DUDLEY
Apprenticeships
Our brand’s products and services are associated with innovation, quality and value and we have an active apprenticeship scheme that has been developed to help nurture the leaders and engineers of the future.
At Thomas Dudley, we know that our young people (apprentices) are the future leaders of the business. Working in partnership with Dudley College and ECMS to give the very best training they can receive.
Last year we took on five new apprentices, they were put through their paces at various assessment days. This was something that was very new for all of them, but they all got involved and took it in their stride.
We started each session with an ice breaker – we had candidate’s v TD employees and it was the first to build the tallest structure, which stands on its own from Lego. I have to say over the sessions the candidates came out on top.
Our apprentices are signed up for their appropriate training, they have a mentor (some of which may be Directors) and have regular meetings (learners lunches) with Martin Dudley CEO, Michele Bickerton People & Development Director and other employees that are on academic training. This gives an opportunity to discuss how things are going, ask questions. We invite tutors to attend so they can hear how things are going and add extra support if required.
There are no limits to where you can go with your development, we have previous apprentices that have just completed Masters Degrees. This is supported and fully funded by the business.
What do we look for in our apprentices?
That would be passion, hunger and want to be the very best they can be.
Sometimes the chosen career path is not the right one, but if the apprentice is, we do not say goodbye at this point. We look throughout the business to find what does fit for them and help them to shine.
What are our current apprentices?
- Commercial Apprentice
- Tool Maker Apprentice (Plastics)
- Processing Technician Apprentice (Plastics)
- Electrical Maintenance Apprentice (Foundry)
- Patternmaker Apprentice (Foundry)
- Maintenance Apprentice (Plastics)
Current apprenticeship vacancies
Work Experience (WEX)
Throughout the year we have a number of vacancies each week for students to come in for five days of work experience.
Where a student has a clear understanding of what they wish to do or area they want to go into, we have a set project, which they will work through during the week. This works really well in areas such as design, accounts and marketing.
There are times when students have a limited idea of what they want to do or are interested in. This is where we give them a blended week, they will spend a day in a number of departments. This way they get some hands-on experience/understanding of what is available to them.
We do not expect every student to say great I love TD and want to work there, as long as they get a positive experience from the week, this is all we ask.
We accept applications for WEX throughout the year, ideally outside of June or July, which can be very busy.
Send a letter and or CV to HR@Thomasdudley.co.uk we want to know what you have done and what you want to do.
We will give you a great week and all we ask is that you come with an enthusiastic attitude and an open mind.
