Apprenticeships at Howden

To showcase the benefits of apprenticeships schemes, we are committed to developing relationships with local schools to encourage them to explore Engineering and promote STEM careers. We are also passionate about contributing to gender diversity in apprenticeship programmes; as females currently make up less than 18% of higher apprentices in engineering and manufacturing.

Howden are actively engaged with local schools, where our team host tours of our Compressor factory. We also take part in the Go4SET Initiative, where we mentor a group of six S2 pupils over 10 weeks to develop skills inform subject choice and challenge perceptions about a career in STEM. We also offer Foundation Apprenticeships, which include 15 schoolchildren have come into the business 1 day per week for 6 weeks to get “on the job experience”.

The Howden Apprenticeship Training Programme

Throughout our 4-year apprenticeship programme, Apprentices will attend college through our accredited training provider East Kilbride & District Engineering Group Training Association Ltd (EKGTA). During the first 6 months of the programme Apprentices will attend the Training Centre in a full time capacity. Thereafter, Apprentices move on to complete their first year with a combination of learning within the Training Centre and work experience within the Howden Factory in Renfrew. In year two, Apprentices are given the opportunity to decide which career path they wish to pursue, they can opt for either a factory or technical route, where you can move into the Engineering Department. All Apprentices are assigned a Howden mentor who will support and enable our Apprentices to develop their professional and personal skills to build a successful career at Howden. In year three and four, Apprentices will continue to gain work experience within Howden, alongside completing their studies resulting in an HNC or HND Level certification.
In recognising the value of our people, Apprentices will have the opportunity to continue their education to potentially complete a university degree. This blended learning approach provides our Apprentices with the opportunity to apply their academic studies with practical skills gained through real life work experience. Our Apprentices are supported each stage of their journey throughout our business.

Learn more about our Training provider EKGTA.

The Candidates

In order to apply for an apprenticeship with Howden you will need to have achieved school grades that include the following at National 5C or above:

• Maths
• English
• Physics
• Chemistry
• A technical subject such as Craft & Design or Engineering Skills.  

You should also be able to display good communication skills and have competency in Microsoft office packages.

The Application Process

Recruitment for Howden Apprenticeships openings begin in April of each year. The applications remain open for three weeks and must be made directly with our training partners East Kilbride & District Engineering Group Training Association Ltd (EKGTA). EKGTA will review all applications and prepare a shortlist of candidates. Thereafter, selected candidates are asked to complete a series of aptitude tests, including problem-solving and numerical skills. Interviews then take place at Howden's Renfrew site, before final offers are made to the successful candidates. Apprentices join Howden in August of each year to begin their 4 year Apprenticeship journey.

Applications for the 2022 intake will open in April 2022, where you will be able to apply via the Apprenticeships Application page of the EKGTA website and select ‘Apply to Howden Compressors’ which appears at the bottom of the webpage.