Intelect Welcomes 2025 Apprentice Cohort as They Continue to Champion Skills Development in Teesside
Renowned for their award-winning apprenticeship programme, Intelect, a leading electrical and mechanical engineering company, has recently welcomed their 2025 cohort of apprentices, recruiting seven individuals across various roles within the business
Launched just a year after the company’s founding, Intelect has built a long-standing reputation for investing in young people and providing clear pathways into engineering careers. Over the years, they have successfully guided hundreds of apprentices through their training and into qualified roles, with former apprentices now making up 20% of the company’s workforce. Today, Intelect employs 42 apprentices across the business, from Level 2 through to degree-level qualifications.
As a testament to their ongoing achievements, Intelect has once again been shortlisted for the 2025 ECI Training and Development Awards in the SME of the Year category, with the results to be announced at an awards ceremony in London on Thursday 6th November.
The news comes not long after the Middlesbrough-based business was ranked 11th in this year’s Top 50 SME Apprenticeship Employers in England, their highest ranking to date.
This continued recognition highlights Intelect’s role in shaping the future of the engineering industry. In the face of a growing local skills shortage, the company leads by example, cultivating new talent and equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving sector.
Lily Brothwood, Business Operations Manager at Intelect oversees their apprenticeship programme, and continues to champion about the importance of investing in the next generation, she says:
“Apprenticeships have always been at the heart of what we do at Intelect, and they’re vital to tackling the skills shortage we’re already seeing across the region and in our industry. With so many exciting projects coming to Teesside, the demand for skilled workers is only going to grow, and we need to make sure local people and businesses are ready to take those opportunities.
“That’s why we continue to call on the government and local authorities to do more to support SMEs and colleges in delivering quality apprenticeships and other long term training solutions, to ensure a talent pipeline for the future and avoid local job displacement.”
As a member of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Intelect continues to be an advocate for this learning route, working alongside other dedicated businesses to inspire young people and encourage more employers to offer apprenticeship opportunities.
Kaelyn Byrne, Mechanical Design Apprentice and one of Intelect’s newest recruits, says, “Pursuing an apprenticeship has always been my goal because it gives me the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while continuing to build and apply my knowledge in a real-world environment.”
“I really enjoy being involved in Intelect’s projects and seeing products being built from the ground up, especially when it comes to watching my own ideas take shape on site.”
“I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to other young people as it’s a fantastic stepping stone into a successful career. You’re not just learning, you’re contributing to real projects, and developing skills that set you up for the future.”
Applications to join the next intake of Intelect’s apprenticeship programme will open in Spring 2026, with a variety of roles on offer. Visit: www.intelectuk.com/apprenticeships for more information.