This week we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week –  a week dedicated to highlighting the positive impact of apprenticeships for individuals and businesses.

Since 1988, we have been proud to offer joinery apprenticeships, fostering a unique culture of knowledge sharing and innovation. Our Academy is a standalone facility at our HQ, comprising of manufacturing shop floor, computer aided design suite, canteen, offices and meeting spaces.

Guiding our apprentices on their journey is Derek Smith, our esteemed Academy Training Manager and lifelong master craftsman in Joinery. With a wealth of experience and a patient mentoring approach, Derek cultivates an environment ideal for learning and skill development. Our intake is limited to 8 apprentices per year, guaranteeing personalised attention and maximising learning potential for each individual. To apply visit our Specialist Academy Apprenticeship page.

Our apprentices are the lifeblood of the company. We encourage the continuous sharing of knowledge throughout our entire business as we realise our apprentices today are an integral part of our future. We’re enjoying celebrating this week with our current group of apprentices, from mastering woodwork techniques to unlocking their creativity in crafting bespoke pieces, our 2023 apprentices have been diving headfirst into the world of joinery. But it’s not just about honing skills, it’s about the mentorship, the friendships and the  endless opportunities for growth that make our programme truly exceptional.

Hear below from Matthew, Adam, Jack and Pearse below on their journey so far:

We will be holding our annual open evening in May and invite anyone interested in pursuing an apprenticeship to come along. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore our facilities, meet our team, and discover firsthand what makes the Specialist Academy experience truly exceptional.