Multidisciplinary engineering firm adi Group has celebrated the achievements of its latest cohort of pre-apprenticeship students with a graduation ceremony held at its Kings Norton headquarters in Birmingham.
The two-year adi pre-apprentice programme gives 14-16-year-olds early, hands-on access to engineering while they continue mainstream education, and culminates in an EAL (Engineering and Learning) accredited qualification.
The students learn a range of electrical and mechanical engineering skills, which complement their GCSE curriculum and help to facilitate progression onto full time apprenticeships. They also learn transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.
The programme equips young people with practical skills, workplace experience and an (EAL) accredited qualification that contributes toward their GCSEs.
Of the 11 graduating students, three have already applied to join adi’s full-time apprenticeship academy, where they’ll continue their journey by choosing a specialised engineering discipline. They will join a growing cohort of apprentices across the Group, which make up 10% of the workforce.
The event marked the conclusion of the ninth successful year for adi Group’s award-winning pre-apprenticeship programme. Adi’s pre-apprenticeship programme was the first of its kind in the UK, providing 14-year-old students with early access to engineering training while continuing their mainstream education.
The evening welcomed the students, their families and carers, adi apprentices and members of the Group’s leadership team to celebrate the students’ dedication and development.
The students' families and carers also went on a tour to see the facilities where they have been working every week for the past two years and see some of their work. Several speakers also shared insights and congratulations, including the Group’s founder Alan Lusty, who began his own career as an apprentice.
He said: “It’s our mission to support young people in developing the skills, mindset and confidence they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive and fast-moving global economy.
“This programme is more than early exposure to engineering: it’s about giving young people a meaningful and accessible pathway to build a career in a sector that desperately needs fresh talent.
“We’re proud to be part of a growing movement that brings together industry, education and community for long-term social and economic impact.”
The programme continues to be a powerful way to spark passion in STEM and address the industry’s growing skills gap. adi looks forward to welcoming its next class of pre-apprentices in September, and continues to champion accessible, inclusive and high quality training for young people across the West Midlands.
