McDowell Machining Technologies

McDowell Machining Technologies is a specialist machine tool company that supplies and services heavy-duty, complex CNC machines across the UK. It represents two leading German machine tool manufacturers, Waldrich Siegen and Niles-Simmons. Its Sheffield operation employs around 35 people, including ten apprentices from the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre.

The business first partnered with the AMRC Training Centre to expand its engineering team and address an industry-wide shortage of skilled machine tool engineers. After visiting the training centre and seeing its facilities first-hand, they were impressed by the quality of our workshop environment, equipment and practical training on offer.

McDowell has recruited all of its apprentices through AMRC Training Centre employer engagement events, allowing the business to meet prospective apprentices before recruitment and identify candidates with the right attitude and potential. One benefit of hiring apprentices through the AMRC Training Centre is that we ensure all candidates that are considered meet our grade requirements, making the process smoother.

For McDowell Machining Technologies, apprenticeships have become a long-term solution to a growing skills shortage within the sector. Rather than relying on recruiting experienced engineers from an increasingly limited talent pool, the company is developing its own workforce, passing specialist knowledge from experienced engineers to the next generation.

As apprentices progress through their training, they take on increasingly complex responsibilities, from machine calibration using specialist laser equipment to preparing for large-scale machine installation projects. Through McDowell’s contacts, some apprentices also go on placement in Germany to work with the latest technology. 

The company also believes that successfully developing apprentices relies on a collaborative approach. Mentoring responsibilities are shared across the engineering team, while maintaining regular contact with AMRC Training Centre tutors to support their progress. It gives apprentices the opportunity to learn from specialists with different skillsets, and ensures the time commitment is easily manageable for McDowell.

The business has already identified apprentices who will play key roles in a major seven-year installation programme, supporting the company's continued growth in Sheffield while strengthening succession planning for the future.

“Partnering with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has allowed our business to plan for the future while developing the best engineers for our customers. The apprentices arrive with strong fundamentals, and we can build on that by passing on the specialist skills our industry needs.”

Mark McLean, operations manager, McDowell Machining Technologies