Apprenticeships & partnerships with training providers create routes into quality employment
Pneumatics expert PCL continues to recruit apprentices in Sheffield and the surrounding areas, offering opportunities that lead to long-term careers.
Each year, the company collaborates with local colleges and universities to provide young people with hands-on training and support to gain quality, long-term employment.
Since 2013, work placements and apprenticeships have been offered in Assembly, Machining, Safety Health Environment & Quality (SHEQ), IT and Sales and Marketing at PCL’s HQ.
Those recruited gain invaluable experience, showing vast improvements in their communication skills and technical expertise. Many remain with the company well beyond completion of their apprenticeship programme.
Machining Apprentice Dylan Roome joined PCL straight from school in 2020.
Dylan Roome PCL's Machining Apprentice
Alongside his mentor, Dylan’s role is to machine parts from different materials according to drawings and instructions, carrying out daily risk assessments to verify good working conditions and high standards of manufacture.
Dylan said: “I have become competent at setting our CNC lathes to produce high and low volume components, because of this I have been chosen to train on our brand-new sliding head machine which arrived in October. All products will need to go from the old CNC to the new which will give me a lot of new issues that I can try to fix and will be a big help towards my new skills and experience.”
QA Technician Evie Asquith achieved a Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering as an apprentice with PCL, and is now completing a part-time Manufacturing Engineer degree.
In this video, Evie Asquith discusses her role at PCL and her journey from education
She recommends researching careers beyond general university courses to find opportunities you may not have thought of. Prior to joining PCL, Evie had gained A Levels in Biology and Psychology. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, but knew university wasn’t for her. She found her niche after discovering the PCL stall at a job fair.
Evie said: “I really enjoy the problem-solving part of my job, so when people come to me with a faulty component for a product I like to lead and try and find out the solution. I enjoy the opportunities at PCL, including courses, growth and knowledge in industry and PCL.”
Marketing Executive Amy Jenkinson studied a Sandwich Degree in Marketing at Sheffield Hallam University, which included a year in industry as an Intern at PCL.
In this video, Amy Jenkinson discusses her role at PCL and journey from education
At the end of her internship, Amy was asked to stay part-time during her final year of university, then invited to join PCL full-time when she graduated. PCL has continued to support her studies, and six years on Amy is still with PCL and has completed a CIM Level 6 Diploma.
Amy said: “I believe it’s really important to not only enjoy your job but the company you work for. I work in a very supportive team; my manager has really supported me over the last few years. My placement year allowed me to gain broad experience in marketing, which helped me determine which area of marketing I most enjoy, and also develop my skills, knowledge and confidence.”
Product Development Engineer Jack Gibbs came to PCL straight out of school at 16 and has since successfully completed his Bachelor of Engineering degree. 
Jack Gibbs - PCL's Product Development Engineer
He said: “Taking an apprenticeship at PCL has helped me grow as a person in both my professional and personal life. The guidance they have provided has helped me go from leaving school at 16 to becoming a degree graduate at 22, as well as developing vital engineering skills along the way”.
HR Manager, Helen Waller, said: “With succession planning high on our agenda we’ve put a lot of effort into engaging with apprenticeships as part of our long-term talent strategy. For SMEs particularly it can be a challenge, but as a non-levy paying employer, receiving 95% funding from the government has gone a long way to ensuring we develop skills for the future of our business.
“We take pride in our apprentices, ensuring they are equipped with valuable life lessons, confidence, and extensive experience for their future careers. Many enjoy 20, 30+ and 40+ years’ service at PCL - apprenticeships are invaluable to our future success.”
Young people who want to learn more about career opportunities and apprenticeships at PCL can come and meet us at Get up to Speed with STEM (GUTS) on 29th March 2023 at the Magna Science Adventure Centre, Rotherham.
