3M Welcomes Three New Engineering Maintenance Apprentices with NC Group
Three new engineering maintenance apprentices started their careers with 3M this September as the long-standing apprenticeship partnership between 3M and NC Group continues to develop the next generation of engineering talent.
Kieran Williams, Harry Hodgson and Jack Stanford have joined 3M as Maintenance Apprentices and will undertake the Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship with NC Group.
Over the next four years, they will combine specialist engineering training with practical workplace experience at 3M's manufacturing site and NC Group’s Training Academy, both on Aycliffe Business Park, developing the mechanical and electrical maintenance skills required within modern manufacturing.
Starting their Engineering Apprenticeships
During their first year, Kieran, Harry and Jack will spend the majority of their time training at NC Group's Training Academy, building the technical knowledge and practical skills that will underpin their future roles.
They will spend Friday mornings at 3M, giving them regular opportunities to meet colleagues, become familiar with the manufacturing environment and start building their understanding of the business.
From year two, they will be based full-time at 3M's Aycliffe site as they continue their training and put their developing engineering skills into practice - maintaining, diagnosing and repairing complex machinery, equipment and systems.
About the Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship
The Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship develops the practical skills and technical knowledge needed to maintain complex machinery and equipment within modern engineering and manufacturing environments.
Combining mechanical and electrical engineering, apprentices develop skills and knowledge across areas including:
Mechanical and electrical maintenance
Fault diagnosis and problem-solving
Maintaining and repairing machinery, equipment and systems
Planned and preventative maintenance
Safe working practices within engineering environments
Applying technical knowledge in a real manufacturing workplace
Through structured training and workplace experience, apprentices develop the multi-skilled engineering capabilities employers need to support the reliability, performance and maintenance of their manufacturing operations.
Find out more about the Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship.
Meet 3M's New Engineering Maintenance Apprentices
The three apprentices, from different educational backgrounds, share an enthusiasm for engineering, technology and understanding how things work.
As they begin their apprenticeship journey, we are delighted to introduce Kieran, Harry and Jack and share a little about their backgrounds and interests outside of work.
Kieran recently completed his T-Levels at South West Durham Training and is now taking the next step towards becoming a maintenance technician.
Kieran said: "I am joining 3M as a Maintenance Technician Apprentice through NC Group. Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, cars and motorbikes, and keeping up with football and F1. I look forward to working with everyone and getting to know the team."
Harry joins the programme after completing his GCSEs at Staindrop Academy and looks forward to beginning his career in maintenance engineering.
Harry said: "I am pleased to start a maintenance engineering apprenticeship and look forward to meeting everyone. Outside of work, I enjoy football and farming."
Jack recently completed his A Levels at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College in Darlington and brings a natural curiosity about technology and how things work.
Jack said: "Outside of work, I enjoy tinkering with computers and learning how everything and anything works. I am excited to learn new skills, understand new concepts and begin my maintenance apprenticeship with 3M and NC Group."
Building on a Long-Standing Engineering Apprenticeship Partnership
Kieran, Harry and Jack are the latest apprentices to benefit from a partnership between NC Group and 3M that has been developing engineering skills for around seven years.
During that time, NC Group has supported approximately 200 3M employees through engineering apprenticeships and wider workforce training, including bespoke mechanical and electrical engineering programmes.
3M also holds a special place in NC Group's apprenticeship journey. Three 3M employees, James Graham, Joseph Birchall and Harry Newrick, became NC Group's first-ever apprentices.
The partnership has since celebrated some outstanding achievements. 3M apprentices have won Apprentice of the Year at the Aycliffe Business Park Make Your Mark Awards for two consecutive years, with Matthew Davis taking the title in 2025, followed by James Graham in 2026.
3M apprentices have also taken their learning beyond the classroom through projects including the Red Bull Cart Challenge, where they designed, built, tested, fault-found and raced a kart, putting their engineering knowledge, teamwork and problem-solving skills into practice.
These achievements demonstrate the impact of long-term investment in skills, specialist training, workplace experience and opportunities.
Kieran, Harry and Jack now begin the next chapter of that story, and we look forward to following their progress.
Looking for Engineering or Manufacturing Apprenticeships?
Whether you're looking to develop new engineering talent or upskill existing employees, NC Group offers a range of engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships and training programmes designed around industry needs.
Talk to our team about how we can support your workforce and future skills requirements at 01388 737121 or email training@ncgroupltd.co.uk.
Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeships FAQs
What is the Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship?
The Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician – Dual Discipline Apprenticeship develops skills across mechanical and electrical engineering maintenance. Apprentices learn to maintain, diagnose faults and repair machinery, equipment and systems, combining structured training with practical workplace experience.
How can engineering apprenticeships support manufacturing employers?
Engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships enable employers to develop practical and technical skills designed around business needs. They support workforce development, help build a pipeline of future engineering talent and develop the skills needed to maintain modern manufacturing operations.
Does NC Group work with employers to deliver engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships?
Yes. NC Group works closely with engineering and manufacturing employers to understand their workforce and skills requirements and deliver apprenticeship training that combines specialist technical development with workplace learning.
To discuss your apprenticeship requirements, contact the NC Group team on 01388 737121 or training@ncgroupltd.co.uk.
