From machining and quality to manufacturing engineering, apprentices at BEL Engineering are doing far more than learning the basics – they’re building real careers from day one.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we are celebrating our apprentices who are already making a difference across the business, gaining hands-on experience, developing specialist skills and helping to shape the future of high-precision engineering.
Our apprentices aren’t just observing – they’re involved. From day one, they become part of a team working on high-precision engineering projects, gaining hands-on experience in a supportive, professional environment.
That support is reinforced through our on-site training academy. Designed as a space where learning comes first, the academy allows apprentices to practise and refine their skills away from the pressure of live customer work. Questions are encouraged, mistakes are part of the process and development is always the priority.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2026, three apprentices from across the business shared their stories…
Meet our Apprentices
Christopher dos Santos joined BEL Engineering after finishing his A-levels and is now completing a Machining Technician Apprenticeship building expertise in inspection and quality.
Holly Allen began her apprenticeship after finishing her GCSEs and has since progressed from a CNC Machining apprenticeship to a Trainee Quality Engineer role.
Stephen Dobson started his career as a Machining Apprentice in 2012 growing with the business into a Manufacturing Engineer.
Why an Apprenticeship?
Each of our apprentices had their own reasons for choosing this route, but all were drawn to the opportunity to gain real-world experience while continuing to learn.
For Stephen, engineering was familiar territory, having grown up around the industry. The chance to earn while learning made the apprenticeship route even more appealing.
Holly was motivated by the opportunity to gain practical experience alongside recognised qualifications, while Christopher saw an apprenticeship as a way to ease into working life without stepping away from education altogether. “It gave me the chance to learn, build a career path and earn money at the same time,” he said.
Why British Engines?
All BEL Engineering apprentices join through the British Engines apprenticeship scheme, and for Christopher, Holly and Stephen, it was British Engines’ reputation in the North East that stood out. For some, British Engines was a familiar name they had grown up hearing. For others, it came recommended by people already in the industry.
Christopher first learned about the opportunity through his uncle, who worked within the group. He explained: “He told me it was a good way to start a career, he suggested going for an interview to see what I thought.”
Although Christopher initially applied to group company, BEL Valves, conversations during the interview process led him to BEL Engineering, where he felt the role was a better fit.
None of the apprentices had prior engineering experience before starting, but all arrived with a willingness to learn and develop.
Learning on the Job
From the beginning, apprentices at BEL Engineering are trusted with real responsibility, gaining hands-on experience in a live manufacturing environment.
Early on, Christopher found that no two days were the same. Over time, he discovered a particular interest in inspection and quality, where his work now includes checking jobs, writing programs, determining setups and feeding results back into manufacturing. He has also supported internal improvement by helping to write the standard operating procedure for the CMM room.
Reflecting on his apprenticeship, Stephen said: “I learned new things every day throughout my apprenticeship, and I’m still learning now.”
Holly’s experience took her across several areas linked to engineering between completing her apprenticeship and starting her current role: “I even spent some time in purchasing, which opened my eyes to everything that happens before a job even reaches the machine,” she said.
She is now developing skills in root cause analysis and plays an active role in performance improvement projects focused on strengthening processes and outcomes.
Achievements and Progression
All three apprentices have gone on to make valuable contributions within their roles.
One of Christopher’s standout achievements was overhauling the CMM filing and programme structure, replacing an outdated system with a faster, more efficient setup still used today. His efforts in the department have earned him Apprentice of the Year three times at the British Engines Beyond Awards.
Holly also won Apprentice of the Year during her training and progressed from an A Machinist to an AA Machinist – a more advanced role reflecting her increased skills, experience and ability to take on complex work. She has since moved into her current quality-focused position: “I gained a wide range of knowledge during my apprenticeship which has helped in my progression,” she said.
Stephen is proud to have built a long-term career within manufacturing engineering and continues to develop his skills, recently completing IOSH Managing Safely and a leadership course as part of his ongoing development.
Advice for Future Apprentices
All three of the apprentices would recommend the experience to others, especially for those ready to learn and make the most of the support available.
Stephen emphasised the importance of commitment and openness to learning, while Holly encouraged future apprentices to take advantage of the breadth of opportunities on offer: “British Engines is a big company, and there’s a lot to get involved in, especially with the training academy at BEL Engineering,” she said.
Christopher described his experience as supportive while still offering the right level of challenge: “It gives you real responsibility and pushes you to grow. The training is excellent, and the people around you genuinely want to see you succeed.”
His advice to future apprentices is simple:
“If you show interest and put the effort in, the business will back you. They’ll invest in your development, if you invest in yourself.”
Investing in the Future
With a nationwide shortage of skilled CNC machinists, BEL Engineering is committed to developing talent from within, with apprentices playing a vital role in this strategy.
Through a structured programme combined with hands-on experience, apprentices gain the practical skills needed to support the future of the industry. From learning the fundamentals to stepping into specialist roles, each apprentice follows a different path, but all develop the skills, confidence and mindset needed to succeed.
As BEL Engineering continues to invest in its people, apprentices will remain a vital part of the business’s future.
To find out more about engineering apprenticeships at BEL Engineering and across the British Engines Group, visit the dedicated apprenticeship page on the British Engines website.
