Caunton Engineering has completed the refurbishment of its highly successful training academy, marking 20 years of operation.
More than 100 apprentices have passed through the academy’s doors since it was first launched in 2004, to address the industry’s skills shortages in fabrication and welding. Employees who joined the academy as apprentices now represent 22% of our current workforce.
The refurbishment has increased the academy’s working area at the heart of our factory floor – as well as providing state-of-the-art machinery reflecting the company’s move towards more robotic and laser-based technologies.
The compny hosted a launch event in September 2025, to showcase the refurbished academy, which combines both a classroom and a model production line to simulate the actual working environment. Guests included representatives of the local and national business communities who have supported the academy during the past 21 years.
Speaking at the event, our Chairman Simon Bingham said: “Caunton Engineering is passionate about recruiting apprentices and graduates, offering young people the opportunity to take the first step towards a career in the engineering and construction industries.”
“The redevelopment of the Caunton Academy is testament of our long-term commitment to training our future workforce, giving them best possible skills and experience to harness the new technological developments that are transforming our industry.”
“Apprentices who joined the academy have progressed to become structural engineers, quantity surveyors and contract managers within the business – demonstrating the transformational impact of the apprenticeship programme, turning student potential into long-term professional careers.”
The launch event provided the ideal opportunity to celebrate and share the success stories of the academy workforce. Mr Bingham added:
“Of the six apprentices who undertook their end point assessment last summer, all have been successful with a 100% pass rate. The ongoing success of our apprentices, once in employment, further highlights how our training is consistently meeting the ever-changing demands of the fabrication schedule and demonstrates their operational value. It also means that our considerable talent and skills are being nurtured and maintained in the local area – which is good news not just for the future of Caunton Engineering but for the wider business community.”
From its inception, the Caunton Academy has been highly successful in the delivery of apprenticeships in fabrication and welding, leading to its recognition in 2008 as an accredited Excellence Achievement and Learning training centre. As well as gaining the Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering, apprentices can also work towards achieving the Metal Fabricator Standard delivered by the in-house, qualified teaching team. The academy gained Employer Provider status in 2017.
