22
Apr 2026
23rd Apr 2026
Apprentices from Rowan Precision have been praised for their professionalism and enthusiasm after representing both their company and the wider manufacturing sector at MACH 2026 this week.
Attending as part of the Make UK stand, the group played an active role in engaging visitors, speaking with students and potential customers, and promoting the value of apprenticeships within UK engineering. They also met with Stephen Phipson CBE, CEO of Make UK – in post since 2017, a staunch advocate for engineering apprenticeships, having started his own career as an apprentice. Phipson leads Make UK in promoting technical education and operates major training centers to address the UK’s 50,000 vocational vacancies and an ageing manufacturing workforce. There is important work to be done to promote the wider opportunities of apprenticeships, which Rowan Precision strongly support by sending apprentices to the MACH exhibition. Phipson recently called for a “skills revolution” to grow the UK’s capabilities as well as its security and resilience and discussed the need to encourage more young people into the manufacturing sector.
Michelle Jackson of Make UK commended the team’s contribution, stating: “I just wanted to let you know how fantastic the apprentices were at the MACH Exhibition. They engaged well with students and new potential clients and enjoyed their time at the event. They are a credit to your organisation.”
The appearance forms part of Rowan Precision’s ongoing commitment to developing future talent and supporting the UK’s manufacturing pipeline at a time when skills investment is rising up the national agenda.
Speaking to mark the occasion, Chief Financial Officer Glenn Aston highlighted the strategic importance of giving apprentices real industry exposure.
“Events like MACH are invaluable,” he said. “They give our apprentices the opportunity to step outside the workplace, represent the business, and engage directly with the wider industry. Just as importantly, they allow young people considering a career in manufacturing to hear first-hand what an apprenticeship can offer.”
Held at the NEC in Birmingham, MACH is widely regarded as the UK’s flagship showcase for advanced engineering and manufacturing technologies, bringing together more than 30,000 visitors to explore innovation in automation, data-driven production and sustainable manufacturing.
For Rowan Precision’s apprentices, the experience extended beyond observation. Positioned on the Make UK stand, they acted as ambassadors not only for the company, but for the sector as a whole—sharing their own career journeys and helping to demystify modern manufacturing for the next generation.
That role is becoming increasingly important. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), apprenticeship starts in the UK automotive sector rose by 33% in 2025, with 1,699 new entrants and a further 1,824 courses delivered to upskill existing workers. The organisation also reports that 61% of roles will require new skills by 2035, particularly in areas such as electrification, data analysis and artificial intelligence.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes recently noted that the industry is undergoing a “major skills drive”, with apprenticeships central to building a workforce capable of delivering next-generation technologies.
For Rowan Precision, the decision to involve apprentices in high-profile industry events reflects a broader philosophy: that developing technical skills must go hand-in-hand with building confidence, communication and industry awareness.
“The feedback we’ve received speaks for itself,” Aston added. “Our apprentices didn’t just attend MACH—they contributed. They represented Rowan Precision with professionalism and helped showcase the opportunities that exist in UK manufacturing today.”
As the sector continues to evolve, initiatives like this underline how businesses are not only investing in technology, but in people—ensuring that the next generation is equipped, inspired and ready to lead the future of British industry.