Colston Engineering Services is hailing apprenticeships as the answer to a skilled engineering workforce for the future.

The Chippenham company said it was finding its ageing workforce difficult to replace, and had taken on two apprentices to fill the skills gaps.

Darren Hearn was employed as an apprentice in 1990, at a time when it was seen to be an old-fashioned way of training young people.

Now the ex-Wiltshire College Chippenham welding and sheet metal apprentice is production supervisor, and has been the driving force in employing the two apprentices, Tom O’Brien and Toran Howlett, this September.

Mr Hearn said: “In the years that I have been employed at Colston Engineering Services, it has become more apparent that there are huge skills gaps in the engineering sector, particularly when it comes to welding and sheet-metal skills.”

Apprentice Tom O’Brien, 17, of Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “After finishing my engineering course, I started doing part-time jobs that were totally unrelated to engineering, just to get some money coming in. But I knew that this wasn’t really getting me anywhere, and the idea of an apprenticeship seemed the best way to build on my engineering skills and earn money.

“The other thing that sold the apprenticeship to me was the job security; I wanted to be able to use the skills that I had already learned and put them to good use, rather than ending up in a basic job in some factory somewhere. This way, I will continue my apprenticeship over the next four years and I’m guaranteed a job at the end of it.”

Managing director Matthew Heaton said: “I myself completed an apprenticeship while studying at university and I firmly believe that they are the most cost effective way for businesses to develop their own talent and to ensure the sustainability of their workforce.”

Learn more about apprenticeships from Wiltshire Enterprise, 01249 465282.