National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Building the Future of Telecoms in the Midlands

In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Kelly Group is highlighting the operational progress of our latest engineering cohort. On 24th November 2025, a dedicated group of 17 apprentices joined the business to begin the ST0832 Telecoms Field Operative standard.

This 15-month program is a cornerstone of our commitment to developing a highly skilled, technically proficient workforce. Currently deployed throughout the Midlands, these apprentices are three months into their journey, playing an active role in underpinning the quality of large-scale network installations and ensuring technical delivery remains consistent with industry-leading benchmarks.

The Recruitment Pipeline

The selection process for this cohort was designed to ensure that only those with a high aptitude for technical field work were onboarded. A standout feature of our recruitment was Manual Dexterity Testing.

Unlike many engineering roles that rely on diagnostics, the ST0832 standard is dominated by fine-motor tasks carried out in constrained environments.

"Manual precision is a fundamental success factor for the ST0832 standard," says Paul Russell, Apprentice Training Manager. "Activities such as fibre preparation, connectorisation, and enclosure dressing require a high degree of hand–eye coordination and repeatable precision. Minor errors at this level can result in significant signal loss or service disruption."

Immersion Over Interruption

We start our cohort with a 17-day intensive classroom block. Paul Russell explains that this continuous block allows apprentices to fully immerse themselves in core technical concepts and safety requirements without the disruption of switching repeatedly between site and classroom.

"The intensive approach accelerates competence and confidence," Paul notes. "Apprentices complete the classroom phase with a clear, end-to-end understanding of equipment, network processes, and operational expectations. It reduces the cognitive load of ‘stop-start’ learning, allowing them to connect theory to practice more effectively once they are back on site."

Structured Mentorship

With 17 apprentices now live across the Midlands, maintaining quality is our primary focus. We have implemented a structured mentorship framework to act as a permanent quality gate for our trainees.

By pairing apprentices with experienced engineers, we allow for real-time supervision and immediate correction. Paul Russell views this close support as vital for maintaining the integrity of the network.

"Our mentorship model prevents skills gaps or bad habits from going unnoticed," says Paul. "It ensures that work is checked, coached, and validated before it reaches the live field environment. From a client perspective, tasks are appropriately delegated and aligned with agreed quality standards, ensuring any issues are resolved before they can impact service delivery."

The journey of these 17 apprentices represents more than just a training milestone; it is a vital investment in the resilience of the UK’s digital landscape. By prioritising manual precision at the recruitment stage and providing an immersive, distraction-free learning environment, ensuring that the Midlands infrastructure is supported by a new generation of high-calibre engineers.

As this cohort continues to progress through their 15-month program, they are not only gaining #SkillsForLife but are also playing an active role in bridging the UK’s connectivity gap. We look forward to watching their careers flourish as they move from trainees to the lead engineers of tomorrow.