Lowe & Oliver, a prominent electrical and mechanical contractor based in Oxford who just celebrated 100 years in the industry, is proud to announce a record-breaking intake of apprentices, who started their journey on September 2nd 2024.

Underscoring the success of the company’s apprenticeship programme, further solidified by the recent launch of their custom-built apprentice training facility, the Centre for Excellence.

The facility was launched in February 2024 during National Apprenticeship Week. It is designed to provide apprentices with hands-on, practical training that mirrors real-world conditions, ensuring that they are well-prepared for the challenges of the industry. With dedicated electrical and mechanical training bays, the centre offers an immersive learning experience that complements the apprentices’ formal education.

The significant surge in apprenticeship applications, surpassing 85 earlier this year, highlights the growing appeal of Lowe & Oliver’s scheme and the essential role it plays in addressing the industry’s skills gap.

 

Fred Lowe, Director of Lowe & Oliver, expressed his enthusiasm for the new intake:

“We are thrilled to welcome our largest group of apprentices. The overwhelming response to our offering reaffirms our belief that investing in training facilities like the Centre for Excellence is critical to inspiring and equipping future engineers.

Our commitment to quality training is an investment in the industry’s future, and we’re excited to see these young talents develop.”

 

Chairman Paul Tuson commented on the educational framework:

“Our Centre for Excellence is designed to deliver top-tier training that goes beyond traditional classroom learning. By integrating practical skills with academic knowledge, we ensure our apprentices receive a comprehensive education that equips them for the demands of the industry.

The simple equation is that, as an industry, we are not training enough engineers. As a company, we decided to implement a long term plan to reverse this trend, and I’m delighted to see that come to fruition. We expect to feel the benefits following our initial sizeable investment for many years to come.”