Inductotherm Heating & Welding (IHW) Champions Next Generation of Engineers Through Apprenticeship Programme

Inductotherm Heating & Welding LTD (IHW), a world leader in induction heating and welding technology, continues to invest in the future of engineering talent through its dedicated apprenticeship programme. Every two years, the company selects and supports two apprentices in partnership with Southampton Engineering Training Association (SETA), enabling them to gain qualifications up to Higher National Diploma (HND) level while developing vital hands-on skills.

Currently, IHW has four apprentices at different stages of their journey: Sam Jupe and Owen Plumley, who are nearing the end of their four-year course, and Jack Harvey and Oli Ryan, who are midway through their training.

Learning by Doing

For many, the decision to take the apprenticeship route came down to practical learning and real-world opportunity.

“I didn’t want to just sit exams – I wanted to learn by doing,” said Sam Jupe, now in his final year.
“University wasn’t an option financially, but this pathway gave me the chance to build a career in engineering,” added Owen.
“I already had a physics degree but struggled to get a job without practical experience. The apprenticeship gave me the skills I needed to stand out,” explained Oli.
“For me, it was about the hands-on learning – and having a guaranteed job at the end of it,” noted Jack Harvey.

Skills That Build Futures

The structured programme offers a blend of classroom learning, specialist rotations at SETA, and on-the-job mentoring at IHW. Apprentices gain exposure to both mechanical and electrical engineering, from wiring and brazing to CAD design and fault-finding.

“At school, equations are just numbers on a page. Here, you see how they apply to real products – it’s a eureka moment,” said Owen.
“Even things I didn’t understand at university suddenly made sense once I applied them hands-on,” added Oli.

This combination of theory and practice has also given apprentices confidence that extends beyond the workplace.

“Before, I didn’t even know how to use a drill. Now, I can walk into a workshop or a DIY store and know exactly what I’m doing,” said Oli.
“The confidence you gain here translates into everyday life. You know you can take on challenges and figure them out,” said Owen.

Proud Moments and Mentorship

Each apprentice highlighted projects that gave them a real sense of pride. Jack recalled wiring a skid pump early in his placement and seeing it shipped to a customer. Oli and Jack also designed and built a working induction heater from scratch as part of their SETA project, supported by IHW engineers.

“That project was one of the proudest moments of my entire academic career – because we designed, built and tested something tangible that worked,” said Oli, who also described winning SETA’s Apprentice of the Year award as a career highlight.

Support from colleagues and mentors has been central to the programme’s success.

“The level of trust here is incredible. You’re given real responsibility, but there’s always someone there to guide you,” said Oli.
“For me, mentorship has been the key to my apprenticeship – the people I’ve learned from have made all the difference, and enabled me to pass my level 3 end point assessment with a distinction” added Sam.

Looking Ahead

As they move forward, all four apprentices are excited about their futures at IHW.

“I started thinking I’d go into design, but now I know I want to stay hands-on in service, solving problems directly with customers,” said Sam.
“For me it’s about continuous development – always building on what you know,” added Owen.
“This apprenticeship gave me direction. I finally feel like I’m on the right path with room to grow,” reflected Oli.
“Progression is the word I’d use – you’re constantly learning and building your skills,” said Jack.

Commitment to Talent Development

By combining accredited training with real-world experience, IHW’s apprenticeship programme is shaping the next generation of engineers – and creating career pathways that might otherwise be out of reach.

“It is so rewarding to see our apprentices grow in skill and confidence,” said Adrian Wood Managing Director of IHW. “Together with contributing to Inductotherm business needs of today, with guidance, mentoring and training, these bright young apprentices have started a journey on a career path to become the future leaders of our industry!”