We encourage and develop talented young people into engineering

At adi Group, we know our future is built by our people - and we’re committed to developing the next generation of engineers. 

Engineering is creative, hands‑on and transformative, and our teams don’t just deliver award‑winning services; they design solutions that reshape how our customers operate.

If we want a resilient engineering workforce for the years ahead, young people need real exposure to the sector much earlier in their journey. Many still hold outdated ideas about what engineering involves, yet today the industry offers varied career paths, modern workplaces and opportunities for people with all kinds of strengths.

Hands‑on experience is one of the most effective ways to change those perceptions. When young people spend time in a real workshop, talk to people already working in the sector and see the routes available to them, engineering becomes far more tangible and accessible as a future career.

adi Apprentice Academy

The adi Apprentice Academy gives ambitious young people a strong, practical start in engineering. Apprentices work alongside experienced professionals, gaining real‑world skills while completing nationally recognised Technical and NVQ qualifications.

Our tailored development programme builds confidence, competence and industry readiness, supported by a network of apprentices across the business. Every apprentice receives broad workplace experience and structured support throughout their training, ensuring they become skilled, valued members of our workforce.

To strengthen connection and collaboration across the Group, we also organise an annual Apprentice Away Day - bringing together apprentices from every division for team‑building, problem‑solving activities and shared learning. It’s a chance to build relationships, broaden horizons and celebrate the contribution of our early‑career talent.

Apprentice Away Day:

adi Pre-Apprenticeship - Marking 10 Years

Now in its tenth year, our Pre‑Apprenticeship Programme with King Edward VI King’s Norton School for Boys introduces 14–16‑year‑olds to core engineering skills across electrical and mechanical disciplines.

Students take part in modules such as sheet metal fabrication, electrical installation, panel building and MIG welding, using specialist tools and learning directly from qualified adi engineers with extensive industry experience.

Alongside technical skills, learners develop transferable strengths including communication, teamwork and problem‑solving - all of which complement their GCSE studies and support future progression.

Students attend our Kings Norton head office for half a day each week over two years, gaining experience within a live manufacturing environment and dedicated mentoring space. This close connection to real engineering work reinforces their place within the adi family and helps them see engineering as a tangible, achievable career path.

The programme is accredited by EAL, a leading awarding body for engineering and manufacturing. On completion, students receive a recognised qualification that supports progression into apprenticeships or other career routes.

Pre-Apprentice Graduation: