Across all UK sites, our Early Careers colleagues led the way in a week filled with learning, pride and meaningful connections. From representing Sertec at Parliament to returning to their former schools for career days, our apprentices demonstrated confidence, professionalism and passion for engineering. They inspired hundreds of young people, proving that opportunity is real, accessible and thriving within our industry.

Throughout the week, apprentices shared “Day in the Life” stories that highlighted the breadth of their work. Our Apprentice Celebration Day brought teams together with senior leaders for networking, recognition and growth experiences, including our own  1% Club  and an energising Dragons’ Den challenge where apprentices pitched innovative ideas directly to senior decision-makers. We also welcomed T Level students for immersive factory tours, giving future talent their first look into life inside a Tier 1 automotive supplier.

The week concluded with the Sertec Apprenticeship Awards, where we proudly celebrated our 12 Apprentice Graduates and recognised excellence across categories including Outstanding Apprentice of the Year, Rising Star, Innovation, Technical Excellence, Team Player & many more. Each winner represented dedication, capability and our Sertec values in action.

Reflecting on the celebrations, Carl Milbourne shared, “We empower young people through trust—trust to contribute, to try, to learn quickly, and to make a real difference. When supported with strong mentorship and opportunities that matter, our ECT colleagues don’t just build skills, they build belief.” Richard added, “Our future competitiveness depends on the skills we invest in today. Apprentices bring energy, curiosity and fresh thinking that push us to keep improving.”

Sertec’s heritage in apprenticeships continues to be one of our greatest strengths, with one in five group staff employees progressing through our “grow our own” pipeline, Gold Kite Mark accreditation for engineering excellence and an outstanding 89% engagement score from our ECT community. Our people, our programmes and our partnerships with schools, colleges and industry forums such as the SMMT Automotive Skills Council reflect our long-term commitment to strengthening the UK’s manufacturing skills pipeline.

NAW 2026 reinforced what we know to be true: our Early Careers Talent are not just preparing for the future—they are already shaping it. Their contribution, confidence and creativity are driving our progress today and building the foundations of tomorrow. At Sertec, the future is built by investing in people, and this year’s celebrations proved exactly why that investment matters.