Domino Printing apprenticeship scheme leads to career progression for Harry

November 10, 2020

A Cambridge company which operates an award-winning Apprenticeship Scheme is congratulating one of its recruits on securing a place to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Hertfordshire.

Harry Grimwood, who joined Domino Printing as an Apprentice in R&D two years ago, has recently achieved outstanding marks in his BTEC Level 3, enabling him to now study for a degree in tandem with his role at the company.

After leaving sixth form with A-levels, Harry spent time working in supply chain and then welding before joining Domino as an Apprentice in R&D, where he has gained experience in the machine shop, manufacturing engineering, systems and new product integration departments. Alongside this he attended college, studying for the qualifications needed to progress in his chosen career.

Commenting on his time as a Domino Apprentice, Harry said: “Re-starting your career at 23 can be a daunting prospect for anyone, but I am so thankful for the opportunity Domino has given me to gain a wide and diverse view of the field of engineering and explore what I want to do.

“Also, being fully supported in my studies has allowed me time and flexibility, enabling me to achieve good results and progress my academic studies further than I ever thought possible.”

Since it was established in 2016, Domino’s Apprenticeship Scheme has taken on a total of 19 recruits across different areas of the business, all now reaping the rewards of a structured programme which offers real-life experience in the workplace combined with developing academic and vocational skills.

This Autumn, Domino has taken on three new Apprentices at its Bar Hill headquarters: Max Turner and Jonathan Elliot in Electronics R&D and Dan Budd in Operations. Inevitably joining during lockdown has necessitated adapting the training programme to allow remote working, with support from mentors at the company.

Alicja Cunningham, HR Business Partner at Domino who leads the Scheme, said: “Our Apprentices are following the same guidance as the rest of our employees –  that is if they can work from home they are encouraged to do so. Their managers are in regular contact with them and I also catch up with them periodically to ensure that they are ok and that they have everything they need.

“To give all our Apprentices the chance to share experiences with their peers, I am planning to organise some sort of social event for them, to be delivered online.”

Over the years, Domino has won several accolades for its Apprenticeship Scheme including being named one of the Employers of the Year by Cambridge Regional College and also Highly Commended for the Large Employer of the Year Award in the EEF Apprenticeship National Awards.