Xtrac case study

Xtrac is the world’s leading supplier of high performance transmissions for top level Motorsport and High Performance Automotive applications. Since 2003, Xtrack have taken on 4-5 apprentices every year, in order to address the skills challenge arising from a high percentage of key staff retiring within the next 10 years.

Benefitting the business and individuals

Xtrac apprenticeships last three to four years and consist of two main parts.

For the first year or so, apprentices work across different departments, gaining experience across different parts of the business, whilst also studying for their first two qualifications.

After this, the apprentice chooses a specialism such as machinist, design engineer, or assembly technician. Their new department will support them with their training and development, and they’ll study for a Level 3 NVQ.

Throughout the programme, apprentices are included in regular group and one-to-one discussions, review meetings, and one-to-one tuition. Every 6 months they undergo a formal review, with the opportunity for a pay rise which can be a great motivator for the apprentices!

The apprenticeship programme has the buy-in from the President, Chairman and CEO downwards who all understand from personal experience the benefits of apprenticeships for both the business and the individual employee.

Climbing the ladder

Xtrac apprenticeships equip trainees to progress within the company and industry. Apprentices have progressed into all sorts of roles in the company, including quality engineers and project managers as well as trainers and mentors for new apprentices.

Xtrac prides itself on the fact that every apprentice it has recruited and trained has either remained and progressed within the company or secured a good job elsewhere in the industry.

Read our report on how to ensure a quality experience for apprentices and employers.

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