As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, MechTronic is proud to celebrate the incredible impact that apprentices have on our business and the wider fuel delivery industry.
At MechTronic, apprenticeships aren’t just a training program; they are a long-term investment in excellence. Our commitment to “growing our own” talent is proven – from the workshop floor to the boardroom.
A legacy of success
The “Apprenticeship Path” is a proven route to the top here in Leeds. Our Managing Director, Brad Wilkie, began his journey nearly two decades ago as a Mechanical Engineering Apprentice. His progression to MD serves as a constant inspiration to our newest recruits, proving that with the right start, there are no limits to where an apprenticeship can lead.
Brad isn’t alone. Key members of our leadership team, including Production, Health, and Safety Quality Manager Ben Wilkie and Engineering and Development Manager Ryan Parr, also began their careers as apprentices. This internal expertise ensures that we don’t just sell technology – we understand every nut, bolt, and line of code within it.
Spotlighting our talent
Over the past few years, we have watched our apprentices go from strength to strength, applying “Skills for Life” to real-world engineering challenges:
- Louie’s journey: Since joining us, Louie has become a vital part of the production team. From building man-lids to the wiring of our flagship OptiMate system, his hands-on experience has been supplemented by site visits to see how our products perform in the field.
- Alfie’s innovation: Alfie showcased the technical heights an apprenticeship can reach by designing and building a full-scale OptiMate demonstration rig. This unit remains an invaluable asset for our service team to simulate customer issues and minimise vehicle downtime.
Skills for life
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week – Skills for life – perfectly mirrors our philosophy. By blending technical education with high-stakes, practical engineering, we ensure that the next generation of engineers is ready for the transition to greener fuels and smarter delivery technology.
Our Engineering and Development Manager, Ryan Parr, puts it best: “The dedication shown by our apprentices doesn’t just help MechTronic today; it ensures we remain industry leaders tomorrow.”
While we don’t have any current vacancies, we remain a passionate advocate for the apprenticeship route. We believe it is the most effective way to bridge the skills gap in the UK and build a more resilient, knowledgeable workforce for the future of fuel delivery.