"I joined Festo 2 years ago on their degree apprenticeship program, through Festo I have been given opportunities to gain invaluable industry experiences, through working with experts across various sectors has helped me to obtain insightful engineering skills and knowledge. This is also backed up by studying for a HNC, HND and finally a degree. This allows me to put what I learn through university into practice, I find this consolidates my learning even further.
A typical day for me can involve visiting customer sites to discuss engineering applications. STEM events where we introduce pneumatics and automation to young people, and personal project work.
My biggest highlight while being at Festo was attending product training in Belgium and the Netherlands. There I got to meet colleagues face to face and attend product training ran by product managers.
Festo has helped me develop my confidence, communication and other personal skills that have helped me inside and out of work. From day one every member of the team has been encouraging and more than happy to help when I need support."
“I’ve always believed that nurturing future talent is one of the most rewarding parts of working at Festo. As Early Careers Manager, I have the privilege of guiding our apprentices from their first steps into the world of work through to becoming confident, skilled professionals. Watching them grow—both personally and professionally—is genuinely inspiring.
Festo’s commitment to innovation doesn’t stop at our products; it extends to how we invest in people. We provide hands-on experience, real responsibilities, and a supportive environment that encourages learning and ambition. It’s this balance of structure and freedom that makes our apprenticeship programme so successful.
Having been at Festo for over 28 years, I’ve seen the company grow and evolve—and I’ve been fortunate to grow with it. In addition to supporting our early careers programme, I work as Senior Management Assistant to the GB Cluster Management Team. The variety in my role means no two days are ever the same, and that’s exactly what I love about it. Whether it’s supporting future engineers or helping to drive strategic initiatives, I’m proud to be part of a company that values people, progress, and purpose."
I began my journey at Festo in 2019 as an apprentice in electrical engineering. Since then, I have worked in a variety of departments, ultimately securing my final placement in our Core Engineering Services as a Project Engineer. I am now approaching the end of my second year as a member of this team, I feel I have developed as a person and a colleague every day of my career.
Throughout my time at Festo, I have been involved in a wide range of projects, including handling systems and electrical automation, pneumatic applications, control cabinets, and software solutions. The diverse array of projects we deliver at Festo is one of the main reasons I enjoy my work.
As a Project Engineer, my role requires a variety of skills, including 3D/2D design and drawings, project management and PLC programming. I developed these skills during my apprenticeship and have continually refined them through daily application in my work. Festo has offered me countless opportunities to develop and learn new skills through training and real-world engineering experiences.
A highlight of mine during my time at Festo has been the people. From the start my colleagues from GB and from around the globe have been willing to offer support and share experiences which creates a fantastic working environment.
I joined Festo nearly 2 years ago as part of their degree apprenticeship program straight after I had finished school at 18. Through this great program I have been able to work towards gaining a HNC, a HND and my degree, while also gaining invaluable experience in the industry.
I know that starting my first ever job could have been a really scary experience, however Festo has welcomed me into their family by supporting and encouraging me, which has really helped to build my confidence. My colleagues are always happy to aid my development and share their knowledge with me, this paired with all of the training and development plans Festo has organised for me has meant that I have been given the best possible start.
Everyday at Festo is exciting, there is always a new project to get involved in and with each new challenge comes a new opportunity to push yourself.
I started working at Festo in June 1996 as a Service Engineer, then in 2000 I became part of the Technical Support Team and for the past 16 years an Application Support Engineer. My primary focus has always been supporting Festo’s range of advanced products, these include Servo Pneumatics, Electric Drives, Handling and Positioning Systems, Field Bus and controls technology.
As part of the Application Support Team, I help to win new business and expand existing, as well as assist with the growth in strategic sales and enable the faster introduction of new products. With technology continuously changing there is a need to ensure that my product knowledge is at the forefront of my mind, this allows me to provide customers with bespoke training courses, commission their systems and offer support at the highest level.
In my 27 years at Festo I am proud to have won Employee of the year, Special Achievement for Support and most recently the Entrepreneur of the year award.
