The success story continues year on year!
We launched our apprenticeship scheme over 10 years ago, in a bid to help more young people get into the engineering industry.
Since then over 90% of trainees have graduated from the scheme and most continue to work at TBS today; all now have valuable qualifications and promising careers ahead of them.
We see them as the future of our company.
We think it’s really important to show the next generation that manufacturing and engineering are growing, innovative industries they can be a part of and prosper in. We are incredibly proud of our Apprenticeship program and our young team of talented individuals that it’s produced.
Our industry is thriving, and it’s full of opportunities for both problem solvers and hands-on team players.
Take a look below at what our Apprentices have to say about our program and their TBS experience
Get technical qualifications and earn while you learn in a professional, hands-on role
Our apprenticeship offers on-the-job training for both technical and commercial roles, as an alternative to studying at university.
How Our Program Works
Our 3-year engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship scheme, based in Gloucester begins with an initial year full time at Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), a specialist training facility for the Engineering sector.
In years 2 and 3 you are based on our site in Brockworth four days a week gaining practical work experience in all areas of our business. You will also spend one day a week back at GET to fulfil the teaching elements of your NVQ/HNC.
Whilst working at TBS you training programme is structured to enable you to experience different areas of the business. This is specifically designed to ensure you learn all the key skills for your qualification and to help you identify where you wish to focus your future career.
Your technical apprenticeship is designed to prepare you for a successful engineering career at TBS. By the end of your apprenticeship, you should have all the experience you need to start a permanent role in the Company, and a good idea of where your skills fit best. TBS is committed to championing each and every apprentice on their own individual journey – we’ll continue to support your career development as you settle into permanent employment and for years to come.
The Opportunities we offer
We offer the following Program options to help match your desired career path:
- Technical Apprenticeships
- Dual skilled mechanical and electrical apprenticeship
- Design Apprenticeships
- Machining Apprenticeships
- Engineering apprenticeship with a CAD and design focus
- Commercial Apprenticeships
- Engineering apprenticeship followed by Business Studies HNC
We know you may have questions about what is involved with an apprenticeship at TBS. We hope we can answer them here, but if you have any additional questions please do get in contact and we will be happy to answer them.
Application Process 2025
Applications for our 2025 intake are now open!
We take immense pride in the remarkable accomplishments of our team members. Many have embarked on the TBS Apprenticeship, embracing ongoing growth and skill development.
Explore their inspiring personal journeys below.
Junior Tooling Design Engineer
Bailey Kimber
“I started my journey at TBS in September 2021. One of the most rewarding projects I’ve worked on during my apprenticeship was stepping in as a temporary planner for the Moulds & Tooling section. It challenged my time management and communication skills as I helped create plans and kitting lists for the fitters. I had to rely on my machine knowledge and improve my IT skills to navigate our system, IFS. Learning about new machines and processes pushed me to develop skills I hadn’t used before.
Working in the planning department taught me a lot about TBS. Having built machines beforehand gave me valuable insight into the process, which helped me plan more effectively. Understanding the time and effort involved made me a better planner. My hands-on experience in Moulds & Tooling also improved my engineering skills, boosting my confidence with machinery and reinforcing the importance of accuracy and safety.
A standout moment was when we needed urgent parts for an on-site build. I worked with the team leader and kitting manager to locate and kit the parts quickly. Clear communication and teamwork helped avoid delays, showing me how essential collaboration is to keep projects on track.
My studies at GET also proved useful, especially learning to read technical drawings and tolerances. When I returned to TBS, I applied this knowledge to create parts for projects, and it was rewarding to see classroom learning translate to real-world tasks.
This apprenticeship has helped me grow both as an engineer and personally. Rotating through departments has improved my communication, teamwork, and understanding of the company. I’ve gained valuable experience, learned from great colleagues, and made the most of every opportunity.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, I’d recommend getting involved and asking questions. The more you put in, the more you’ll learn and grow.”
2nd Year Engineering Apprentice
Aimee Bromley
“I began my apprenticeship at TBS in September 2023, stepping into the machining shop to start my career in engineering. The early stages of my journey were focused on building my skills through test pieces, proving my competence in manual milling and turning. It was rewarding to see my progress as I moved on to production work, taking on real-world tasks that challenged me to grow and apply what I’ve learned.
One of the most exciting parts of my apprenticeship has been getting hands-on with production work as my confidence and capability have grown. Working with manual milling and turning tools has pushed me to refine my technical skills and focus on precision, safety, and efficiency. Each step has been a chance to improve, and seeing the results of my work has been incredibly fulfilling.
What has made this experience even more special is the opportunity to represent TBS at career evenings. Moving far from home to join TBS was a big decision, but it’s one I’m proud of. Being able to share my journey and encourage others to explore a career in engineering has been a highlight of my apprenticeship so far.
Choosing TBS wasn’t just about starting a career—it was about joining a company that values growth and development. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside skilled and supportive colleagues, learning from their expertise while contributing to meaningful projects.
This apprenticeship has already taught me so much, not just about engineering but about myself. I’ve developed stronger communication and teamwork skills and gained a deeper understanding of the importance of accuracy and attention to detail. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes me.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, my advice is simple: go for it. Be curious, ask questions, and take advantage of every opportunity. The more effort you put in, the more rewarding the experience will be.”
Mechanical Designer
William Davis
“My journey with TBS kicked off in September 2017 when I decided to veer away from the traditional academic path and opt for a hands-on apprenticeship. In the first year, I was predominantly at the apprentice college, dedicating one day to theory and four days to practical work at TBS, even working during half-term breaks.
My second year had me back at TBS, where I joined the HITEK fitters on the shop floor before briefly transitioning to the tooling fitting/assembly team. Eventually, I moved into the design office, all while continuing my education with one day of theory at college, ultimately completing my NVQ qualification.
The third and fourth years saw me continue my journey in the design office, balancing four days at TBS and one day at college, this time pursuing my HNC qualification. The onset of Covid led to remote work and online courses for my HNC qualification. During this time, I was asked to return to the office to support machine builds at TBS, maintaining my office role during the pandemic.
Unfortunately, a hiccup required me to redo a portion of my first year of HNC, extending the qualification to three years instead of two. After completing my HNC qualification, I became a full-time TBS employee, embarking on international customer visits and, this September, commencing an HND course, blending theory and practical work.
Choosing the apprenticeship route at TBS provided me with a holistic understanding of the company, spanning from shop floor work to designing machines. I believe this path has equipped me with a well-rounded skill set and a more profound understanding than a purely academic route would have offered.”
3rd Year Design Apprentice
Kobe Pope
“My journey started in September 2022. During my apprenticeship, one of the most memorable projects I worked on was assembling a Shuffler unit in the HiTek department. This task required a lot of precision and attention to detail, which really pushed me to focus on getting everything just right. I was responsible for assembling and aligning the components accurately, but one of the biggest challenges was routing the pneumatic piping – something I hadn’t done before. It was unfamiliar territory, but I approached it with determination, relying on the fitting skills I had developed. In the end, the project came together successfully, meeting all the quality and functionality requirements. It felt rewarding to know I had contributed to something that met such high standards.
The knowledge I gained from my academic studies has been invaluable in my day-to-day work. One area where this really stands out is mathematics. It plays a big role in both the shopfloor and the drawing office, and having that solid foundation from the first year of my apprenticeship helped me feel prepared when I started working full-time at TBS. Beyond math, the wide range of topics I studied – from engineering materials and AutoCAD to PLCs, health and safety, and legislation – have all come in handy. Whenever I run into a question or a new challenge, I feel like I have the background knowledge to figure things out.
I’m constantly learning and developing new skills. The pace at which I’ve been able to pick things up has been faster than I expected, thanks to the hands-on experience and the guidance from my trainers. There are so many opportunities to practice and refine what I’ve learned, which has really helped me grow. One of the best parts of this apprenticeship is how quickly it’s boosted my confidence. I’ve reached a point where I can work independently and trust my abilities, and I know that’s largely due to the quality of training I’ve received so far.
This apprenticeship has been an incredible experience, and I’m excited to keep building on the skills I’ve gained. Each day brings new learning opportunities, and I feel like I’m constantly progressing toward becoming a better engineer.”
Service Technician
Carl Goldsmith
“My journey at TBS began in 2014 when I joined as one of the second batch of apprentices. For the first 2-3 years, I divided my time between college and TBS, focusing on fitting and machining. While initially drawn to the machine shop, I soon found it repetitive and not quite to my liking. A shift to the fitting shop under the HITEK team marked a turning point, and there I spent approximately 7 years. During this period, I connected with numerous colleagues and amassed knowledge about our machines and industry.
In 2018, an incredible opportunity took me to China for 3 weeks, sparking my desire to become a technician. Over the next couple of years, I actively engaged in projects in Mexico, America, and Algeria, learning invaluable lessons along the way. With a thirst for more knowledge, I diligently worked towards a technician role. Two years later, my efforts paid off, and I began working alongside the technicians. My passion for the job drives me to aim for the ability to set up and run all machines that TBS manufactures.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Where will I be working?
You will spend your first year (September to July) in full time training with Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET) at their dedicated facility based on Corinium Avenue in Gloucester. From year 2 you are then be based on our purpose-built site at TBS, 10 minutes away, on the Gloucester Business Park in Brockworth, with a day release back at GET.
How long does it take to complete the apprenticeship?
It will take 3 years to complete your full apprenticeship.
What happens at the end of my apprenticeship?
After you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, you will have a nationally held qualification for your profession. Subject to the requirements of the business you will be able to apply for suitable vacancies within TBS.
Can I progress onto further qualifications at the end of my apprenticeship?
If you are successful if being offered a permanent role with TBS at the end of the apprenticeship you may be given the opportunity for further development and qualifications, depending on the business need and your capabilities/interests.
What skills/qualifications do I need to apply?
You will need a minimum of 5 GCSE’s or equivalent, including maths, English and a science, preferably physics, at a level 4 (Grade C) or above or be predicted to achieve this.
As well as technical skills, we look for ….
- Enthusiasm, drive and commitment to complete your apprenticeship.
- An interest in engineering as a subject and, ideally, evidence of related activities through hobbies, voluntary work, work experience or school studies.
- A hands on, problem solving approach to tasks.
- Good IT skills
- Ability to communicate and work well with others.
What are the working hours?
In your first year at GET you will work 37 hours, 7.45am – 4pm with an early finish on a Friday (1.45pm)
Once you transfer onto the TBS at Brockworth you will work an average 37 hour week over a rolling 2 week pattern, with alternate Fridays off – making this a 9 day working fortnight.
There is no weekend working except where overtime is offered and we do not run a night shift at TBS
What is the salary?
We start our apprentices on a salary range between £15,000 and £18,000 dependant on age. We regularly review progress and have in place a structured salary progression linked to performance, completion of coursework and achievement of qualifications.
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