12 Feb 2026
Inspiring the Next Generation: Shotton Mill Champions National Apprenticeship Week at Coleg Cambria
As part of our ongoing commitment to local skills and education, the Shotton Mill team recently supported Coleg Cambria’s "Meet the Employer" event. Held during National Apprenticeship Week, the event served as a vital bridge between our landmark redevelopment project and the aspiring engineers of tomorrow.
With Shotton Mill currently undergoing a monumental transformation, the event highlighted that there has never been a more exciting time to pursue a technical and paper sector career right here in Deeside.
Providing a "deep dive" into the practicalities of modern papermaking, Chris Lord, Mechanical Engineering Manager and Jess Coombes, Mechanical Engineering Technician, met with future paper making engineers to discuss the complex engineering projects currently unfolding on-site. By sharing their first-hand experiences, Chris and Jess provided potential future engineers with a glimpse into the scale and sophistication of the world-class facility being built right on their doorstep.
Beyond technical opportunities, our leadership team was on hand to outline the long-term stability and growth opportunities at the Mill. Ben Vaughan, Training and Development Manager, Liz Allen, Training Administrator and Natalie Lawton, HR Business Partner, engaged with students to discuss the Shotton Mill Vision spearheading our transition into a sustainable leader in the industry and the apprenticeship opportunities delivering structured pathways designed to turn students into highly skilled professionals and future-proofing careers stressing the importance of green skills in the evolving manufacturing landscape.
The energy at Coleg Cambria was a testament to the talent pool within our community. At Shotton Mill, our investment in infrastructure is matched by our investment in people.
We are committed to nurturing local talent and ensuring that our community and the surrounding areas are the ones driving our sustainable manufacturing future.
"It was fantastic to see such passion and curiosity from future engineers. We are committed to providing the skills needed for a sustainable future, and we look forward to welcoming these bright minds to our site soon, we aren't just building a mill; we are building careers" said Ben Vaughan, Training and Development Manager, “we extend our sincere thanks to Coleg Cambria for hosting such a high-energy and productive event.”
