Don-Bur is continuing to encourage apprenticeship training across the business, with 17 apprenticeships currently active and a further three due to start.
Apprenticeships provide an important route for people to develop practical skills, gain recognised qualifications and build their careers, with opportunities available across a wide range of disciplines within Don-Bur.
Apprenticeships Across the Business
Don-Bur currently supports apprenticeship and development programmes across a broad range of disciplines, including:
- Autocare Technician Levels 2 and 3
- Engineering Operations Levels 2 and 3
- Fitting Level 3
- HR CIPD
- ILM Supervision
- Installation & Maintenance Level 3
- Health & Safety
Training is supported through apprenticeship and training providers including Martec, Train’d Up and Total People.
The range of programmes available reflects the breadth of career opportunities within the business, from manufacturing, fitting and vehicle service through to Health & Safety, HR, supervisory development and creative disciplines.
Apprenticeship Success Stories
Twenty employees who have undertaken apprenticeships through Don-Bur’s schemes and training partnerships currently remain with the business, with a number of examples demonstrating how apprenticeship training can support progression in different ways.
- Ashley Ridgway joined Don-Bur as an apprentice bodybuilder on 21 July 2008. He later progressed through the roles of Lifting Deck Team Leader, Lifting Deck Supervisor, Lifting Deck Manager and Factory Manager before being appointed Operations Director in 2023, providing a long-term example of how an apprenticeship can become the foundation for continued career progression.
- Lucas Kinnersley, within Don-Bur’s Sapphire Graphics division, graduated with First-Class Honours after completing the Creative Digital Design Professional (Integrated Degree) Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship. Lucas began the programme in 2022 through Newcastle-upon-Tyne College, with Don-Bur sponsoring his studies while he gained practical experience within the business.
- Sam Jones began in fabrication and has since progressed into Don-Bur’s Health & Safety team.
- Jack Wemyss and Mitchell Cartlidge have both progressed through Level 3 Autocare Technician apprenticeships and are now working on the road in their own Don-Bur Service vans.
- Danielle Dutton has recently been nominated for Apprentice of the Year, following earlier recognition as Apprentice of the Month.
Developing Practical Skills
For apprentices following engineering and manufacturing routes, workplace training provides the opportunity to develop practical skills alongside the structured learning required for their qualification.
Current apprentice Archie is already making good progress with his welding skills, providing a current example of the practical experience apprentices can gain while developing their capabilities within the business.
From fabrication and fitting through to vehicle maintenance and installation, apprentices are able to learn alongside experienced members of the Don-Bur team while working within a commercial manufacturing and service environment.
Encouraging More Apprenticeships
Don-Bur is actively looking to encourage more people to consider apprenticeships as a route to developing their skills and careers.
An apprenticeship combines practical, hands-on experience with structured learning, giving participants the opportunity to develop both the practical skills and wider knowledge associated with their chosen discipline.
The progression of existing and former apprentices within Don-Bur demonstrates the variety of directions an apprenticeship can support, whether that means developing specialist technical skills, gaining degree-level qualifications, moving into new areas of the business or progressing into management and senior leadership roles.
Developing Skills for the Future
With 17 apprenticeships currently underway and a further three due to begin, Don-Bur continues to support apprenticeship training and the career development opportunities it can provide.
From current apprentices developing practical skills to employees who have progressed into specialist, professional and senior management roles, apprenticeship training remains an active part of Don-Bur’s approach to developing skills for the future.
