A first-of-its-kind event, organised by the Association of Electrical and Mechanical Trades (AEMT) in close collaboration with Sulzer, was held at Sulzer’s Birmingham facility and brought together apprentices from across the electromechanical sector for an inspiring day of networking, learning, and hands-on team building.
Held at Sulzer’s state-of-the-art facility in Birmingham, the event welcomed apprentices from across the AEMT’s membership. Attendees took part in interactive workshops, a behind-the-scenes site tour, and confidence-building outdoor activities designed to promote collaboration and knowledge sharing.
“We wanted to create a space where apprentices could connect, swap stories, and see that they’re part of something much bigger”, said Scott Haslam, Membership Manager at the AEMT. “We were also keen to show young people in this industry that an apprenticeship isn’t just a job on the shop floor – it can be the start of a journey that leads to areas such as sales, project management, or even leadership.”
“We wanted to give the apprentices a taste of the real opportunities in our sector,” added Chris Adams, Coil Shop Operations Manager at Sulzer, who helped host the event. “This industry is at the heart of a sustainable future, proving that repairing and rewinding electric motors extends their life while also cutting waste. These young people are the future stewards of that mission.”
The morning of the event included breakout sessions on career pathways and good working practices, and one of the highlights was the site tour, where experienced Sulzer staff shared stories from their decades in the industry – demonstrating a real passion that has stood the test of time.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted to team building, featuring archery, rope challenges, and an exhilarating 40-foot pole drop – all designed to foster communication, trust, and mutual support.
Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Callum Moorhouse from Westin Drives said: “I think it’s important for apprentices to be given the opportunity to network with new people outside of their normal work environment; the exchanging of new ideas and the opportunity to build teamworking skills is vital for the success of anybody coming into the industry”.
“This was a pilot event, and it exceeded every expectation,” Scott Haslam added. “To build on this success, we will be rolling out a calendar of similar events for later in 2025 and beyond, each with a different focus, but all designed to support the next generation of electromechanical talent.”
The Apprenticeship Day is part of the AEMT’s broader commitment to member engagement and industry development, with upcoming initiatives including themed panels, networking forums, the 2025 AEMT Conference and the AEMT Awards.
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