Learning and Development

“I’ve always been interested in how things work and how to fix things.  After going to college, I realised that classroom-based learning wasn’t for me, so I looked at apprenticeship pathways instead of taking the university route. I studied an Electrical Engineering Maintenance course at HETA.

Through my apprenticeship at Wienerberger, I’ve gained a lot of engineering and have been mentored by more senior members of the team. I’ve completed my HNC qualification and I’m hoping to my do HND as well. I was given the flexibility to continue my college work while I work.”

Meet Jack - Electrical Engineer at our Broomfleet Factory Video Transcript

I've always been interested in how things work and fixing things.  I've done a lot of DIY at home and I just generally found practical learning a lot easier and more interesting. My name is Jack and I am an Electrical Engineer with Wienerberger at the Broomfleet site.  Wienerberger is a building materials supplier and here at Broomfleet, we make roof tiles.  I enjoy working at this site because there's a big team, it's a big site and there's always stuff going on.  My role involves reacting to electrical breakdowns and improving the machinery, upgrading the safety systems and general maintenance of the site.  As an electrical engineer, we work with all disciplines of engineering and help the factory run as efficiently as possible.  As an apprentice, you're not often able to get involved in the bigger projects and the more technical side of engineering but here at Wienerberger, you're expected to be involved in these projects from day one.  I would encourage young people to consider roles at Wienerberger as you get a broad knowledge of engineering and it's a great alternative to a degree pathway.

“The apprenticeship scheme lets you work alongside your colleagues to develop new skills. It’s great that you are able to learn and earn at the same time. There are lots of different jobs to do in the factory and I like the variety of the work. One minute you could be changing a few bearings, next minute you could be welding or fabricating parts. 

Meet Kyle - Apprentice Engineer at our Denton Factory Video Transcript

My grandad was actually an engineer himself. He told me all about his job and what he had to do. This interested me so I knew this was the field that I wanted to go into.  My name is Kyle and I am the Apprentice Engineer here at Denton Works, Wienerberger. When I was off school I used to work with my dad, he was a builder and I thought I'm suited for hands-on work rather than sitting in an office. Wienerberger are a global manufacturer of building materials. The apprenticeship scheme lets you work alongside the other colleagues who will help you learn and teach you how to do everything. My favourite thing about the job is that there's something new to do every single day; you might be working in the same location but it's not necessarily the same job.  I'd recommend the apprenticeship scheme here at Wienerberger as you get paid to learn, there's nothing better - you work alongside really skilled colleagues who help you build on your own skills.  In the future, I'd like to see myself as head of all of the engineers. I'm looking to build myself up that ladder and get to that level.

"I’ve worked here for 23 years, after starting my career as an apprentice in the factory.  I started working at the Denton factory as an apprentice mechanical engineer. I then progressed to a full-time engineer’s role, later becoming a Team Leader, then Maintenance Manager. Wienerberger has helped me develop my people management and supervisory skills by putting me on several courses.

I have recruited apprentices for the past five years, as I believe they are essential to the future of the business. I absolutely recommend an apprenticeship with Wienerberger. We assign apprentices with a mentor who helps them with their plant knowledge, teaches them the basics and creates a training plan to build on their skills."

Meet Paul - Maintenance Manager at our Denton Factory Video Transcript

When I was a young child, I had a Meccano set, I was fascinated on how it all bolted together. Later on in life I started looking at working on cars and then eventually I applied for an apprenticeship. My name is Paul, I'm Maintenance Manager here at Wienerberger's Denton Works. Wienerberger manufacture building supplies, the majority of Wienerberger bricks are normally normally sold to brick merchants. My role involves looking after the maintenance team, I have a team of 14 engineers here, mechanical and electrical. Looking after their health and safety is paramount. The best part of my job is keeping the factory running, we run a PPM system which is Plan Predictive Maintenance that also generates jobs on a monthly and weekly basis.  I myself have recruited apprentices for the past five years, they are the future.  They work with their mentor who gives them the experience, the plant knowledge also teaches them the basics and brings them on.  We will put them on a training plan and try and give them jobs to develop the skills that they're missing.