We celebrated National Apprenticeship Week with apprentices from all over the UK
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week this year, we invited nearly 30 apprentices to our Technical Training Centre in Warwick for a Networking Day, seeing members from all over the country come together to share their experiences. With attendees from Witham, Blackpool, Warrington, and even Merthyr Tydfil, the day provided the opportunity to meet peers for the very first time, explore our headquarters, and gain insights from a panel of longstanding apprentices turned employees.
This consisted of a welcome and introduction by Managing Director Keith Day and HR Director Jen Booker, followed by a tour of our new Technical Training Centre facility as well as the main Warwick factory, led by some of our third and fourth-year apprentices. After a substantial lunch, a team-based activity was hosted by Quality Control Manager, Andy McKinlay, which challenged the group to design and build a working paper crane that could hold the weight of a pencil.
Teamwork and insight rounded off the day
Particularly well received, the activity tested the apprentices’ ability to design-for-manufacture, communicate effectively, and reflect on where improvements could be made to enhance the process. The importance of these skills was realised when, after designing a spec for their crane for the first 20 minutes, they were instructed to swap their designs with a different team and build what they received instead of their own. This challenge required out-of-the-box thinking and rapid problem solving, which resulted in four very different crane prototypes.
After this very active hour, the group settled in for a Q&A panel that would enable them to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the experiences of previous apprentices who have since gone on to build successful careers at Dennis Eagle. The panel was made up of Tony Bates, Manufacturing Manager, Teresa Jones, Sales Support Engineer, and Chris Benton, Head of Purchasing and Supply Chain, and explored the full extent of each career journey, from lessons learned to valuable advice for the future.
Getting to know the next generation of talent
Ahead of the Networking Day, we caught up with several of our apprentices to ask them firsthand how they have found their apprenticeships with our business so far, what their favourite part has been, and what they would say to anyone looking to take on their own apprenticeship. Here’s what they said:
“I started with Dennis Eagle in September 2024 as an Apprentice HGV Technician. My day-to-day responsibilities in and around the workshop involve primarily learning and shadowing my peers while they teach and show me how to work with our refuse vehicles. My other responsibilities include maintaining workshop tidiness and assisting my co-workers on projects. My favourite thing about this apprenticeship is the fact that the trucks I work on in the workshop are the very same trucks I see outside my house in the morning picking up my waste. There’s no better feeling than physically seeing the positive impact your role has on your local community.
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My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship would be just to go for it – you get paid to learn! I have learned boatloads since starting just over a year ago and still have lots more to learn. I have really enjoyed myself since starting here as no day is ever the same.” - William Bish, Apprentice HGV Technician
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William Bish, Apprentice HGV Technician |
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"I have been at Dennis Eagle for nearly two months now as a Supply Chain Apprentice. As part of my role, I regularly contact suppliers throughout the week to confirm that parts will be delivered on time according to our weekly schedule. I also handle queries from Production when parts are missing or urgently required. This involves checking stock availability, identifying when items will arrive, and resolving any issues causing delays. One of our KPIs is supplier delivery performance so I have been working alongside the team to try and achieve our target for 2026.
My favourite part of the apprenticeship so far has been meeting the team. From day one, everyone has been welcoming and supportive. Being a part of this team has made it much easier to settle in, learn quickly, and feel valued. I’ve already learned so much in a short time here, and with my apprenticeship training starting in March, I’m excited to continue developing my skills. I’m also really looking forward to completing placements around the company, exploring different departments and seeing firsthand how each area contributes to bringing the build together, helping me to better understand the whole supply chain. I would encourage anyone to go for an apprenticeship, as it’s a great opportunity to learn while you work. Not only do you gain practical experience, but you also learn how the business operates alongside the area you choose to focus on.” – James Byrne, Supply Chain Apprentice |
James Bryne, Supply Chain Apprentice |
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"I have worked at Dennis Eagle for around 14 months as an Apprentice HGV Technician. My day-to-day responsibilities include ensuring the workshop is clean and all apparatus is correctly stored. I also conduct brake tests and operate the vehicles for MOT testing. I assist other technicians with vehicle inspections and any heavy lifting or retrieving parts for them. My favourite thing about my apprenticeship so far is the opportunity to develop new skills and remain actively engaged in the work. The chance to continually learn, contribute, and deepen my understanding has made the experience both motivating and highly fulfilling. Working as an apprentice at Dennis Eagle is a really rewarding experience. The company is the market leader in its field; this is reflected in the commitment of the team at the Merthyr Tydfil depot who have been very supportive. The training is hands-on – you’re encouraged to get involved from day one. I’ve learned a huge amount already, not only with regards to technical skills but also how things work in a real industry environment. Every day brings something new, and I feel like I’m constantly growing in confidence and ability. For anyone considering an apprenticeship, my advice is to approach the opportunity with commitment and an open mind. It offers a valuable combination of practical experience and structured learning, and those who make the most progress are the ones who actively engage, ask thoughtful questions, and show a genuine willingness to develop their skills. An apprenticeship can provide an excellent foundation for a long-term career, and embracing each stage of the journey will help you gain both confidence and capability.” – Cai Williams, Apprentice HGV Technician |
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