Rolls-Royce Supports Future Talent

The programme encourages manufacturers to engage with children and young people to inspire future British manufacturing talent and showcase career opportunities in the UK manufacturing sector. More than 60 Year 1 pupils enjoyed learning about how the Company’s super-luxury motor cars are created. The pupils also had the opportunity to experience a Rolls-Royce Wraith, with spectacular starlight headliner, at first hand.

Questions were encouraged throughout the visit, particularly those linking to the current term topic of ‘Science and Materials’ and the school theme for the day of ‘Cinderella’. All 60 pupils were given personal tours of the Rolls-Royce Wraith by current apprentices, who tackled a range of challenging questions and took the time to talk about each of their own sectors within the Company.

Helen Cordell, Apprentice Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “We were delighted to support a local school as part of the ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative. The response from the pupils and particularly their interest in manufacturing was fantastic.” She continued, “We encourage our apprentices to take part in these activities, with five from the current programme – from the Woodshop, Paintshop, Leathershop and Assembly – joining the team at East Preston Infant School.”

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has recently announced that the Company is seeking a record number of candidates for its 2016 Apprenticeship Programme. Seventeen places are available, the highest number of annual apprenticeships since the programme launched in 2006. The Programme provides women and men aged 16-24 with the opportunity to train with the Goodwood-based manufacturer of the world’s best-selling super-luxury cars.

The successful applicants will join the programme in August 2016, working alongside skilled craftspeople in wood, paint, leather, assembly, engineering, business and IT roles and will also follow a programme supported by local colleges. The apprenticeships last for up to four years and combine on-the-job training with classroom-based studying for nationally recognised qualifications. The programme has been designed in conjunction with several local colleges.