Wright Engineering

Wright Engineering

Worksop-based Wright Engineering specialises in engineering design, fabrication and the installation of turnkey material handling systems, alongside chemical engineering projects. Established in 1986, the company employs around 170 people and delivers major infrastructure projects across the UK. With the managing director and several board members having started their careers as apprentices, investing in the next generation has long been part of the company's culture. 

The company first worked with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre when looking to recruit for a specific role — taking on two design engineering technician apprentices. Their experience with these apprenticeships was so positive that the company decided to switch to the AMRC Training Centre as its preferred apprenticeship provider. The business was particularly impressed with the quality of the recruitment process, the responsiveness of the team and the relevance of the training delivered. 

Apprentices begin contributing to live projects from an early stage and typically add tangible value within six to twelve months. By increasing in-house engineering capacity, they have helped reduce the need to outsource work while supporting the delivery of major customer projects. They also play an active role in the company's outreach programme, working with local schools and colleges to encourage more young people to consider careers in engineering.

Wright Engineering has developed a strong mentoring culture, with experienced employees supporting apprentices through structured workplace rotations. Eventually, apprentices who qualify become mentors themselves for new apprentices, ensuring that the fresh thinking and latest skills taught by the AMRC Training Centre continues to support the business.

“Partnering with the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre has allowed us to recruit apprentices who are making a real difference to our business. The recruitment process is excellent and the team does a fantastic job of finding candidates who are the right fit, so we're never wasting time sifting through hundreds of CVs. The quality of apprentices is head and shoulders above what we've experienced with other providers. They come back with the skills, behaviours and confidence to add value quickly.”

Sarah Collins, head of administration, Wright Engineering