February 12, 2019
A Rolls-Royce apprentice works in the leathershop. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
British automaker Rolls-Royce is growing its apprentice class, bringing the total number of candidates to a record 31.
Since the brand’s apprenticeship program began in 2006, it has been expanding each year, with increasing numbers of participants. In addition to offering candidates the chance to learn skills firsthand with Rolls-Royce employees, apprenticeships can offer companies the chance to find new talent through education.
Apprentice acceleration
Rolls-Royce is launching Sir Ralph Robins Degree Apprenticeships for the first time this year, named after the automaker’s non-executive director. Apprentices will take classes at the University of Chichester’s Engineering and Digital Technology Park, working towards BEng Mechanical Engineering degrees.
The apprentices will work for up to four years at Rolls-Royce while also taking college classes.
Applications close on March 13. After the selection process, Rolls-Royce’s 2019 class will start in August at its headquarters at Goodwood in West Sussex.
Last year, 24 candidates joined Rolls-Royce, honing their skills in areas such as leather work, painting, engineering and assembly (see story).
Some Rolls-Royce apprentices work on assembly. Image courtesy of Rolls-Royce
“I am delighted to announce the start of recruitment for this year’s apprenticeship program and the launch of our first Sir Ralph Robins Degree Apprenticeships,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, in a statement. “We are firmly committed to developing future talent here at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and I am especially pleased that we will welcome a record number of new apprentices to the business in 2019.”
Some apprentices have gone on to work at Rolls-Royce following their time in the program.
German automaker Mercedes-Benz similarly filled the need for technicians at its dealerships through a newly established apprenticeship program in the United States.
In a 16-week program, dubbed Mercedes Benz Drive, apprentices will learn skills needed to work on the brand’s models, with additional coursework in career development. Mercedes-Benz claims to be the first luxury automotive brand to create a registered apprenticeship program in the U.S., which may help it get ahead of its competitors in locating and training talent (see story).
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