🚧 NSCG | Q&A with employer partner Bostik
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4th March 2022

Apprentice employer partner, Bostik are one of the largest adhesive and sealant companies in the world, employing some 5,000 people in 50 countries across five continents. Celebration World Engineering Day 2022, Electrical Engineering Manager James Brough chats to us about their apprenticeships programme and the exciting opportunities available for long-term career progression at their Stafford site.

Q. How many apprentices do you currently employ at Bostik?

A. Within the Engineering team at the Stafford site Bostik, employs one Apprentice, with a live advert for a second. Across the business there is a wide variety of Apprenticeships available currently Bostik UK employees 8 in total.

Q. Typically, what kind of roles are available to apprentices across the business?

A. Engineering, Human Resources, R&D, Marketing, customer services, finance – essentially every function of the organisation has roles available for Apprentices.

Q. What are the benefits to Bostik of offering apprenticeships?

A. Bostik benefits by developing people into passionate and driven employees with long-term company commitment. Benefitting from succession planning, passing knowledge through generations – adapting skills to suit specific business requirements.

Apprentices typically bring a lively and positive attitude to the work place, radiating throughout the departments. Bostik's Engineers take great pleasure and pride in teaching and developing the apprentices.

Q. How has your apprenticeship programme developed over time working with NSCG?

A. Over time communication between the Colleges tutors and Site Mentors have greatly improved forming strong working relationships. The selected NVQ modules have changed to be more relevant and specific to the Engineering role.

Q. What training opportunities are on offer to your apprentices?

A. Our apprentices have the opportunity to study from HNC through to a Bachelor’s Degree. Specialised training courses are also offered, such as, hazardous area, mobile elevated platform training etc.

Q. How can apprenticeships progress within your business on completion of their apprenticeship?

A. The aim is always to progress apprentices into full time positions, supporting them to carry on honing their skills and knowledge to become assets within their team. There is always opportunity to progress careers, whether this be a position with further responsibility such as a team lead or a more technical role.

I had the opportunity to study a 4-year Maintenance Engineering apprenticeship myself, back in 2011. I successfully completed the apprenticeship and accepted a full-time role as a Multi-skilled Maintenance Engineer. Bostik continued to support my education enabling me to achieve a BEng in Electrical Engineering in 2020. In 2020, I was promoted to Electrical Engineering Manager which I am so proud of.