Cochran lead the way with commitment to modern apprenticeships
“Our managing director started as an apprentice almost 40 years ago – that is a great demonstration of the value of apprenticeships.”
The words of Allan Shaw from Newbie-based boiler specialists Cochran – a company which have put investing in their workforce at the core of their business.
The near-150 year old organisation currently employs 18 apprentices out of a workforce of 227 across the group – providing a host of advantages for the individuals involved, the business, local community and the surrounding economy.
Committed to Fair Work, and a Living Wage employer, their team of apprentices are making a contribution right across the Cochran group – working as manufacturers, platers, welders, pipefitters, electricians and fitters.
History of Cochran
Cochran & Co was founded at Birkenhead in Merseyside in 1878 by James Taylor Cochran and Edward Crompton, using the latter’s revolutionary patented vertical steam boiler design.
The company went from strength to strength, including being involved in the construction of the world’s first steam powered submarine.
As Cochran rapidly expanded, they made the decision to move to a new location at Newbie near Annan in 1898, giving them direct access to the sea – and Cochran has remained in their current base ever since.
The business celebrated 125 years of manufacturing at Newbie in 2023, and put their longevity down to their excellent workforce.
What is an apprenticeship?
• An apprenticeship is when someone works towards a qualification on the job.
• Apprentices work with experienced colleagues on real projects while putting into practice what they learn.
• Learning providers can be colleges, universities, independent learning providers or local authorities.
Cochran proud and longstanding apprenticeship record
Allan Shaw – himself a former apprentice – is Cochran Product and Service Delivery Manager.
He highlighted a series of benefits the company’s involvement in the apprenticeship programme has provided over the years.
And number of members of Cochran’s Senior Leadership Team can attest to the value of the programme.
Allan said:
“There are numerous advantages of having apprentices in our workforce.
“This includes succession planning, meeting business growth needs, skills creation and retention, improving our workforce’s demographics and the overall culture of the business.”
He added:
“I see all who complete their apprenticeships as success stories.
“On a more specific level, our Managing Director Tom Ritchie and Industrial Boiler Business Manager David Weild started at Cochran almost 40 years ago as apprentices.
“They have since developed into senior business leads and mentors.
“That is a great demonstration of the value of apprenticeships and highlights the career opportunities we are proud to provide at Cochran, as opposed to a normal job."
Allan also believes apprentices provide benefits not just internally, but also to the local community.
Allan said:
“Cochran relies heavily on the local area for current and future employees and apprentices.
“It is great for us to provide career opportunities for people in the community and allows us to work in tandem and as a collective with them.
“We can then put something back into the community in terms of supporting local enterprises, youth groups and community projects - for the betterment of all.”
SOSE have been working with Cochran in recent years, including a grant in 2023 to research and develop testing of a hydrogen boiler to assess its commercial viability against gas.
Max Copeland, an apprentice electrician with Cochran, added:
“I applied to become an apprentice as I thought it would be a good way to learn and get practical experience as well as a qualification.
“I hope to stay at Cochran at the end of my apprenticeship, gain more experience and progress my career.”
Michelle Skotzen, a Business Specialist at SOSE, added:
“It has been fantastic to work with Cochran in recent months, with their enthusiasm and ambition for not just their own business growth, but the development of their employees evident as soon as we first met.”
Find out more
If you are a company or individual seeking more information on apprenticeships, you can visit Skills Development Scotland’s dedicated webpage.