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Waldeck Consulting is an engineering consultancy that works on large built environment and infrastructure projects including schools, hospitals and prisons. 

Adam Machan, their Director of Mechanical and Electrical, recruits staff through our mechanical engineering higher degree apprenticeship. We spoke to him about how apprenticeships are benefiting his business.

How do you use apprenticeships at Waldeck Consulting?

“Apprenticeships are the main way we bring new staff into the business. Since the credit crunch in 2008 we’ve found it hard to recruit senior staff. There aren't enough people in the industry, and not enough people wanting to go into it.

“Degree apprenticeships are growing the demand to work in this industry. The apprenticeship levy is a good deal for the apprentice and a good deal for us as a business. Having a constant stream of apprentices coming in is an organic way of growing our business, because people move up through the ranks.”

Why do you find apprenticeships useful?

“I'm a firm believer in the apprenticeship system because it combines an education with workplace learning. At the end of their apprenticeship successful candidates gain IEng registration with the Engineering Council and become an incorporated engineer.

“We have found that when we bring apprentices in, our existing staff become mentors and it upskills and empowers them. The experience of helping to train apprentices brings out nascent leadership skills that people didn’t know they had, and that can help them progress to senior levels. It's not easy because you're constantly training new staff, but it's worth it.”

What do apprenticeships bring to your business?

“They all have a part to play in our success. We’re a team and everyone works together, and apprentices are a critical part of that. They work in all areas of the business. First they learn the technical side of 3D design software, and then within six months they’re in a client-facing role, representing the business at meetings and on site visits. 

“An engineer's role is to understand the complexity of the client’s needs and break it down. On larger projects, our apprentices work with a senior engineer. Once they have gained experience in this way they move on to working on the overall concept.

“One of our previous apprentices became a chartered engineer and is now responsible for key account management, dealing with clients on large projects and looking at overall strategy. Apprentices like them are critical to our business.”

How do your apprenticeships help grow the UK economy?

“In this industry we need to bring new talent through. After the credit crunch there weren't many young people who saw engineering as a good bet. That is now changing, and degree apprenticeships are making this career available to more people.

“Sheffield Hallam has done a good job of promoting mechanical and electrical engineering to young people. There’s been a big push to promote STEM over the last few years, and apprenticeships play a big part in that.”

Are your apprentices helping to increase sustainability in the UK?

“At the moment we are working a lot on decarbonisation schemes. We work with major clients and retailers helping them become zero-carbon. This is a big part of our business and all our apprentices are involved. They appreciate being able to make a difference to decarbonising the UK building stock.”

Would you recommend apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam to other businesses? 

“I would definitely recommend degree apprenticeships. It helps your business grow organically and empowers your existing workforce. Sheffield Hallam does it really well and provides good support to us and our apprentices.”