The Directors at High Force Research Ltd are big advocates of apprenticeships; in fact, Stuart Penny, Operations Director, started out his career over 40 years ago via the apprenticeship route.
Over the last few years, the Company has seen the value of degree apprenticeships and supported several young scientists through their studies and employment with the company to achieve degrees in Laboratory Science.
Stuart Penny, Founder and Operations Director said
“The apprentice programme is a great scheme and an alternative path to university to enable young chemists to develop the practical and academic skills needed for a scientific career. Our current apprentices are highly valued members of the team and I would encourage employers to consider an apprentice in 2022.”
HFR currently employs two Degree Apprentices, who are studying for their Laboratory Scientist Degree accredited and supported via distance learning with Manchester Metropolitan University. Charlie Ellison and Jude Humphrey progressed to their third of the four-year course in September 2021, Charlie is employed as a Production Scientist and Jude as a QC Analyst, both contributing fully to the business.
The Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship course offers students a great opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’, working towards a degree without tuition fees and gain hands-on experience while working in industry.
Jude commented:
“Doing a degree apprenticeship has been a great decision for me. It has allowed me to gain valuable practical experience and knowledge on how a chemical business operates, whilst also having the opportunity to study towards a degree. After my course has finished I will have 4 years of experience and come out of uni with a degree and no student debts to pay, which to me is much more worthwhile than just attending university full time.”
Due to the impact of COVID-19 over the last two years, the company didn’t have the opportunity to offer apprenticeships but with the growth of the business, the company is planning to offer places onto the programme from September 2022.
If you are interested in finding out more, contact Jane Klotz, HR Manager at HFR at janeklotz@highforceresearch.com
