As the UK marks National Apprenticeship Week, Velocity Composites plc is using the moment to underline a simple message: long-term growth in advanced manufacturing depends on sustained investment in people. Speaking during the week’s celebrations, Oliver Smalley, Chief Operating Officer at Velocity Composites, says apprenticeships play a critical role in building both capability and resilience across the business.
“Engineering apprenticeships are absolutely vital to the future of our industry,” Smalley explains. “They allow us to develop people with the right technical skills, commercial awareness and mindset to operate in a highly regulated, fast-moving aerospace environment.”
Velocity Composites, which supplies advanced composite material kits to major global aerospace programmes, operates at the intersection of manufacturing excellence and supply chain precision. According to Smalley, that makes early career development especially important. “We’re developing the next generation of planners, supply chain leaders and operational managers who will be responsible for delivering complex programmes over decades, not just years.”
A Real-World Pathway into Aerospace
Smalley points to apprentices like Ethan Willis as evidence of the value apprenticeships bring – not only to individuals, but to the wider organisation. “Ethan’s journey is a great example of how apprenticeships can open doors,” he says. “He’s come through a non-traditional route, identified where his interests lie, and is now applying that learning directly in a global aerospace supply chain environment.” That blend of academic learning and hands-on experience, Smalley argues, is particularly well suited to modern engineering businesses.
“Our industry is evolving rapidly – from materials technology to digitalisation and global collaboration,” he says. “Apprenticeships allow people to grow alongside that change, gaining real responsibility early on while building recognised qualifications.”
Engineering as a National Priority
Beyond Velocity Composites, Smalley believes the UK must continue to champion engineering careers if it is to remain competitive on the world stage. “Engineering underpins everything – from transport and defence to energy and everyday products,” he says. “Yet too often, it’s overlooked as a career option.”
National Apprenticeship Week, he adds, provides an important platform to challenge perceptions and highlight the breadth of opportunities available. “If we want a resilient, innovative manufacturing sector, we have to invest in skills,” Smalley concludes. “That means giving young people clear pathways into engineering, supporting them properly once they’re in, and recognising the long-term value they bring. Apprenticeships are central to that mission.”
