Celebrating our Apprentices
02 December 2025
As part of our Rotala 20th Anniversary Celebrations, we're highlighting the roles our brilliant apprentices play in the Rotala Group of businesses.
Apprentices bring great benefits to our company – bringing younger people into the business and training the next generation who will build our industry's future
Our Apprentices get the benefit of real-life work experience along with their learning & skills development.
With the support of Rotala Managers and work-place mentors, it's a great platform for young people to progress their career.
Case Study: Antonia
“Rotala, has not only helped my in my professional career but also as a person. To first come into the business as a teenager and now as a young adult, it has helped shaped my morals and beliefs.
Please tell us which apprenticeship you are doing, and your job role at Rotala
- I am doing a Human Resource Apprenticeship. My role is a HR Assistant.
Please provide us with a brief outline of your apprenticeship journey and why you have chosen this career.
- I started in September 2023. When I first came to Rotala it was my first corporate job, I had never been in a professional setting before and I had to learn basic skills such as how to write a professional email.
- I have since progressed in my role and now take on roles such as completing fact finds, disciplinary's and leading on recruitment. I chose Human Resources as I like providing people with a voice and being their advocate whilst also prioritising the needs of the business and helping the business grow.
What drew you to your apprenticeship?
- I came and did work experience at 16 and absolutely loved it. I asked if I could come back every half term/ school break to gain more experience. The more experience I did the more I grew to realise this may be a career for me. I emailed and asked if a HR Apprentice role ever came available at the company, if I could be considered for it and I was. I interviewed in 2023 and have been pursuing my apprenticeship ever since.
What made you want to pursue this role/industry?
- I fell into the industry by chance doing work experience, but what made me want to explore it further was watching my manager in her role. She was a massive inspiration to me and made me want to follow in her footsteps.
What does a typical day look like for you?
- A favourite part of my role in Human Resources is that no two days are alike. The role is so broad and covers many aspects of the business that I get to experience new things each day. One day I could have a day full of fact finds and the next could be 15 interviews. I also like that as Group HR we get to work with and support different depots meaning its an even bigger variety.
How do you balance work and study?
- I balance work and study by sticking to a timetable. I currently work 3 days at Rotala and 2 days at University and I dedicate myself to where I am, meaning if I am at University, I attempt to complete all work for University on that day to help with separation and time management. I always plan my work and study out for the week so that I know what objectives I need to complete.
How does Rotala support you in your apprenticeship?
- Rotala supports my in my apprenticeship by providing me with real life applications to the theory's I am studying at University. My manager always gives me advice on my assignments and points to consider for my research. Aswell as this, my manager places a great emphasis on wellbeing and will do regular check-ins to make sure I am balancing my workload and am feeling supported.
What's been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
- The most rewarding part is seeing how far I have come in my journey. From not being able to write a professional email in 2023 to leading on fact finds and recruitment in 2025 is a great achievement for me.
What are your aspirations for the when you complete your apprenticeship?
- My aspiration is to move into an advisory role. I would like to be able to coach, mentor and provide others with support when completing HR related tasks.
Case Study: Omar
“Rotala is a really good company to join as an apprentice due to the amount support.”
Please tell us which apprenticeship you are doing, and your job role at Rotala
- Mech/Elect level 3 course and Apprentice Engineer in Eccles depot
What drew you to your apprenticeship?
- I've been interested in mechanics since I was little due to learning from my Grandad
What made you want to pursue this role/industry?
- I feel like its more flexible qualification and career for the future
What does a typical day look like for you?
- I come in at 5am and help with run out, carry out inspections and repairs then help afternoon run out
How do you balance work and study?
- I do most of my college work whilst I am college as stay over in a hotel so have a lot off free time in the afternoon
How does Rotala support you in your apprenticeship?
- Helping and guiding me through the correct jobs I need to do to gain my qualifications.
What's been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
- Feeling acknowledged with a pay rise, and being highly thought of
What are your aspirations for the when you complete your apprenticeship?
- To gain extra knowledge and qualifications to improve myself
What benefits do you feel Apprentices bring to Rotala?
- Learning from the bottom and having the right mentor to guide you
Case Study: Tommy
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with Diamond at Tividale, all the lads in the garage are great and the Manger and supervisor are always there to help guide my learning”
Please tell us which apprenticeship you are doing, and your job role at Rotala
- Mech, ELEC At GTG, my role is Engineer Apprentice at Tividale Depot
Please provide us with a brief outline of your apprenticeship journey and why you have chosen this career…
- I had a work experience posting here a few years back and really enjoyed seeing how buses are maintained and the work that gets done to keep wheels moving.
The Engineering Manager asked if I would be interested in an apprentice as an engineer.
He advised me that I would need to go to college and would work towards gaining qualifications in PSV Mech / Elec, I thought this would be good for my career and is something I could really excel at as I love doing manual work.
What drew you to your apprenticeship?
- Speaking with the engineering manager after having doing work experience, he explained to me that he did the same thing and has loved every minute of it.
What made you want to pursue this role/industry?
- Nowadays, I think everyone needs to learn a trade that cant easily be taken over by robots or AI.
What does a typical day look like for you?
- Once I clock in I carry out some driver defects in the morning and then assist engineers with VI defects and servicing, I am gaining knowledge everyday on what is expected to maintain vehicles in a compliant, safe and reliable way.
How do you balance work and study?
- I do some learning at home but also the manager and supervisor give me learning throughout the day regularly test me with questions.
How does Rotala support you in your apprenticeship?
- They allow me time to build my portfolio and do some investigations required for my learning throughout the day if required.
What's been the most rewarding part of your journey so far?
- Becoming more confident in my ability to under go some tasks without supervision.
What are your aspirations for the when you complete your apprenticeship?
- To be fully qualified in my field and also gain more experience and qualifications as industry evolves, I can then pass what knowledge I have gained to new apprentices in the future.
What benefits do you feel Apprentices bring to Rotala?
- Youth and willingness to learn which then gives a brighter future for the trade.
What benefits do you feel Apprentices bring to Rotala?
- I feel that the organisation gets to Mold employees to the version that they want. I feel that as an apprentice I work hard in order to give back to the company as a thank you for the opportunity.