Celebrating 20 years of The WEC Engineering Academy
This year marks an exciting milestone for the WEC Engineering Academy, celebrating 20 years of developing the next generation of engineers.
As part of WEC Group, we are proud to be continuing this legacy at HTA Group, investing in young people, developing new skills and creating opportunities for future engineers to build rewarding careers in manufacturing.
The WEC Engineering Academy was launched in 2006 after we recognised the growing shortage of skilled engineers, welders and fabricators across the industry. Rather than relying on external recruitment alone, we made the decision to invest in our own people and provide the training needed to develop skilled engineers from the ground up.
Twenty years later, the Academy has gone from strength to strength, having supported more than 430 apprentices through their training journeys. These apprentices have gone on to become skilled tradespeople, engineers, supervisors and managers, playing an important role in supporting the continued growth of WEC Group.
In 2025, we became the latest WEC Group site to introduce the apprenticeship programme at HTA Group, extending the Academy’s reach and creating more opportunities for young people across the UK. Our newest apprentices will begin their training on 7th September, while our existing apprentices move into their next departments within the business.
Our new apprentices will gain valuable experience working on various manufacturing projects while developing skills across areas including welding, fabrication, machining and technical engineering. The programme is designed to give them the confidence, knowledge and practical experience needed to build a successful career within the engineering industry.
“Investing in young people has always been a key part of our growth. When we launched the Academy in 2006, we wanted to create opportunities for people to develop real skills and build long-term careers. Twenty years on, it continues to be one of the best decisions we have made as a business.”
Steve Hartley, Managing Director of WEC Group
For us at HTA Group, welcoming this year’s new apprentices marks an exciting new chapter. By supporting the next generation of engineers, we are helping to strengthen the future of UK manufacturing while giving young people the opportunity to develop skills that will last a lifetime.
Click here to find out more our Apprenticeship Programme