Ferndown-based Superior is a family-owned manufacturer of high integrity o-rings and seals, and has welcomed more than 55 apprentices during the past decade. The company is proud to support National Apprenticeship Week which will run from 3-9 February, 2020, after welcoming apprentices from 2009 in recognition of a skills shortage, and the company’s first apprentice, Bradley Hicks, continues to work at Superior as the maintenance manager. The company then opened its own dedicated, purpose-built in-house academy in 2012 to boost the local workforce.

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, the Superior team will be attending events across the county including Apprenticeships Unlocked by Bournemouth & Poole College at AFC Bournemouth on 4 February, and Apprenticeships Live at Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne on 27 February, as well as open evenings at Parkstone Grammar School and Twynham School in Christchurch.

Ben Clarke completed an apprenticeship before joining the Superior team 11 years ago, which has seen him progress to become Superior’s quality manager. Ben also chairs the South East Young Apprentice Ambassador Network, which aims to spread awareness of apprenticeships.

He said, “I am a proud supporter of National Apprenticeship Week, which shines the spotlight on the range of opportunities available to young people to help them earn a wage while training for their dream career. I started my career journey with an apprenticeship and the support I received was invaluable in helping me to ensure I had the skills I needed to progress within the business. As a company, Superior is really keen to support the next generation of engineers and scientists.”

Applications to Superior’s apprenticeship academy are open to anyone aged 16 and over who is looking to pursue a career in science or engineering with three GCSEs at grade 3 or above in maths, science and English. Superior’s apprentices are given the security of guaranteed employment on successful completion of their training and have the opportunity to study a fully-sponsored degree with the potential to progress into management and leadership roles across the business.

Superior works hard to ensure it invests early in future and aspiring engineers and scientists by offering valuable work experience placements in the Academy, as well as tours for parents, teachers and students. The team also give presentations during school assemblies, and support schools with introducing engineering qualifications into their curriculum.

For more information about Superior’s Apprenticeship Academy, go to Superiorltd.com/academy/