Bill Scott’s Wilton Engineering emphasizes training strategy

Ethan Downes and David Murdoch have started a five-year design engineering apprenticeship sponsored by Teesside University.

Ethan, 18, joined Wilton Engineering as an apprentice design engineer after completing his A-levels. In a short space of time he has demonstrated his potential by leading a number of work packages focused on the design and drafting of complex engineering structures.

David, 33, has almost two decades of experience in engineering and holds a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in engineering. He joined the company as a draftsman at Wilton in 2020 and is now completing training to further expand his specialist knowledge and contribute to his professional development.

Both Ethan and David will spend four days on site at the company’s sprawling 112 hectare site on the banks of the River Tees, spanning Port Clarence and Haverton Hill.

Through this practice-oriented approach, trainees are confronted with real challenges and practical skills are developed. In addition, they dedicate one day per week to studying at Teesside University and deepen their theoretical knowledge by completing a mechanical engineering degree.

Wilton Engineering has an impressive backlog of projects for the design, fabrication, blasting and painting of large modular complex steel structures, primarily for the offshore oil and gas and defense sectors in the UK. Wilton Engineering is committed to building a long-term, sustainable portfolio.

To achieve this, the company not only recruits talented people for its current 350 employees, but also invests in the development of its future workforce.

In 2022, Wilton Engineering launched its Apprenticeship Academy, welcoming a cohort of 30 galvanizing/welding apprentices aged 16 to 32. They have continued their apprenticeship intake in 2023 and will continue to do so year after year.

The company also offered training opportunities to existing employees who wanted to upskill or retrain.

Continue reading:

Michael Jorgenson, project manager at Wilton Engineering, said: “I am extremely proud of Ethan and David, who have shown great commitment and passion for their training and development and have become valuable members of the team.”

“By completing training with us, you can spend more time in the workshop and gain valuable experience working on some complex projects together with your colleagues.

“We look forward to welcoming our next cohort of apprentices to the team soon.”