British Engines has officially opened applications for its 2026 apprenticeship programme, offering young people across the North East the opportunity to begin a rewarding career in engineering with one of the region’s largest and longest-established apprentice employers.
The Newcastle-based engineering group is now inviting applications for roles starting in September, as it continues its long-standing commitment to developing the next generation of engineering talent.
Founded in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1922, British Engines is a global engineering group designing and manufacturing innovative products and providing specialist services to customers worldwide. Today, the group employs around 1,200 people globally and operates across two strategic divisions, bringing together eight North East businesses, including Michell Bearings (South Shields), BEL Engineering (Newcastle) and CMP Products (Cramlington).
For its 2026 intake, British Engines has 20 apprenticeship vacancies available across a range of disciplines, including Engineering Support Technician, Machining, Maintenance, Engineering Fitter, Purchasing, and Metal Fabrication.
The programme is designed for individuals aged 16 and above who are motivated, curious, and eager to learn, whether they are leaving school, college, or looking for an alternative route into engineering. British Engines is seeking apprentices who are keen to develop practical skills, embrace new technologies, and build long-term careers within the business.
Apprenticeships remain central to British Engines’ success, helping to futureproof critical skills, drive productivity, and support innovation across the group. Many of the company’s senior leaders and technical specialists began their careers as apprentices, underlining the programme’s impact on long-term business growth.
All apprentices who completed their training in the most recent cohort were offered permanent roles, reflecting the group’s focus on retaining and developing talent from within.
British Engines has supported over 1,000 apprentices since 1966, and continues to invest heavily in structured learning, modern facilities, and digital training tools. Apprentices gain hands-on experience while following clear development pathways across the group’s North East businesses.
Andrew Myers, Learning and Development Business Partner and Head of Apprenticeships at British Engines, said:
“Our apprenticeship programme continues to go from strength to strength and is truly the lifeblood of the business. While we’ve supported more than 1,000 apprentices over the years, we’re always evolving to ensure our training reflects the skills our business and industry need for the future.
“Last year we received a record 490 applications, and we expect interest to be just as high again from young people looking to earn while they learn and build a fulfilling, long-term career in engineering.”
Jac Gardner, Chief People Officer at British Engines, added:
“Apprenticeships are critical to our ongoing growth. They boost productivity, drive innovation, and remove many of the financial barriers associated with higher education, making engineering careers accessible to people from a wide range of backgrounds.
“One in ten of our employees is currently undertaking an apprenticeship, and many of our senior leaders started their careers in this way. We will continue to invest in apprenticeships as a cornerstone of our strategy, offering rewarding careers within a culture of continuous learning.”
Applications for the British Engines 2026 apprenticeship programme are now open.
Anyone aged 16 and above can apply online at www.britishengines.com before Sunday 18th January to start in September 2026.
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