Life at Ardent: National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week at Ardent

National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to reflect on something that has always been important to us at Ardent, developing people properly.

From engineering on the shop floor to commercial roles across the business, apprenticeships are an important part of how we develop talent, build capability, and support long-term career progression.

In this feature, Leon, Jayjay and Julia share their experiences - from starting out, to growing in confidence, gaining qualifications, and developing skills that make a real difference in their roles every day.

Leon: Starting a CNC Machinist Apprenticeship

Leon recently joined Ardent as a CNC Machinist Apprentice, beginning his Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician (HNC) apprenticeship.

Engineering apprenticeships offer a balance between technical education and hands-on manufacturing experience, something Leon valued when choosing his career path.

“I think Ardent has a great ethos around how it treats its people, which is difficult to maintain as a company gets bigger. Additionally, they offer me plenty of opportunities and help me towards my own personal goals, so I choose to grow and improve alongside Ardent.”

For Leon, the apprenticeship route provides a deeper understanding of the work he carries out each day.

“Apprenticeships are a good balance between work and education. It allows me to fully understand and appreciate the work I do as I’m educated about how and why, rather than just learning how to do something.”

In his first weeks, Leon has already developed skills in technical processes, problem-solving, teamwork and professional confidence.

"My greatest achievement so far is passing the interview after being interviewed by five people and being the standout candidate that got chosen. I believe I’ve picked up the work quickly and settled in nicely."

Leon’s journey reflects how engineering apprenticeships create confident, capable professionals from day one.

Jayjay: Building a Career Through Manufacturing Apprenticeships

Jayjay’s story highlights the long-term value of manufacturing apprenticeships.

After completing his GCSEs, Jayjay chose an apprenticeship route into CNC machining while completing a Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering qualification. This allowed him to earn an income while gaining industry-recognised qualifications.

“I chose an apprenticeship as I wanted to be able to earn an income whilst also gaining my qualification. I also wanted to get straight into working life.”

Like many engineering apprentices, the early stages involved adapting to a professional manufacturing environment and developing technical skills quickly.

Over time, those skills came together.

“A key turning point for me was once all the knowledge and skills I had learnt came together. The job started to make so much more sense and became much easier to understand.”

Now an established machinist at Ardent, Jayjay is looking to progress further within the company and support the next generation of apprentices entering the business.

“It’s a lot of hard work and dedication juggling between getting the qualification and full-time work, but it’s definitely worth it.”

Jayjay’s career demonstrates how apprenticeships can lead to long-term progression within the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Apprenticeships Beyond Engineering

Julia: Sales Executive Level 4 Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships at Ardent are not limited to engineering roles.

Julia completed a Sales Executive Level 4 Apprenticeship, showing how structured learning supports career progression in commercial and account management roles as well.

“I chose this apprenticeship because I wanted to progress my career, and it’s honestly been one of the most beneficial things I’ve done -  it’s completely changed how I communicate and how I see the bigger commercial picture.”

Through her apprenticeship, Julia strengthened skills essential to sales and account management, including communication, organisation and professional confidence.

“It’s given me the confidence to speak up, ask better questions, and contribute more meaningfully across the business.”

For Julia, the biggest impact has been clarity.

“The biggest impact has been clarity and confidence. I have a much better understanding of the commercial side of the business, which has made my role feel more meaningful and structured.”

Her experience highlights how apprenticeships can support professional development beyond technical roles.

Why Apprenticeships Matter at Ardent

Apprenticeships are a direct reflection of Ardent’s commitment to investing in people and developing long-term capability.

By supporting engineering apprenticeships, manufacturing qualifications, and commercial training programmes, we ensure that skills, knowledge and standards continue to grow alongside the business.

As we look ahead, Ardent will continue to create opportunities for new apprentices to join our teams, supporting career development while strengthening the future of UK manufacturing and industry.

Interested in an Apprenticeship with Ardent?

If you are considering a career in engineering, manufacturing, or commercial sales, apprenticeships offer a practical route into skilled employment while gaining recognised qualifications.

To learn more about apprenticeship opportunities at Ardent,  contact our team at [email protected] today.