Arctic Circle Ltd was formed in 1985 to provide high quality innovative plant to the refrigeration market. It takes on at least 10 apprentices every year, which are trained on a two-year apprenticeship using the company’s factory as a training centre.

By bringing through its own recruits and training them in-house, Arctic Circle believes it can stabilize the workforce and give each trainee a sense of loyalty to the company.

“Herefordshire, where we are based, is notorious for full employment. If we can have young people attached to our company for at least two years through training, it will not only improve our status as a company in the area, but also show our high levels of commitment to the apprenticeship programme,” says Debbie Gittoes, finance director of Arctic Circle.

“Some of our trainees go on to supervisor and managerial levels, so further progression is a serious option,” she adds.