In 2022, Trillium Flow Technologies appointed its first three ECITB scholars. The trio were so successful the company has since appointed a further eight.
Josh Mortimer, UK Training and Development Manager at the global design, manufacture and maintenance provider for pumps, valves and turbines, shared why the programme has become a key pillar in the company’s new entrant strategy.
Trillium Flow Technologies, formerly Weir Engineering Services, has been offering apprenticeships in a range of disciplines, historically for more than 100 years.
The ECITB Scholarship programme is now Trillium’s principal source to recruit high-calibre, ‘employer-ready’ apprentices.
Trillium is involved in the initial recruitment of scholars to the programme, which helps to shape the curriculum. The scheme allows it to mentor and offer work placements before making any employment offers, thereby minimising recruitment costs and attracting future talent.
ECITB Scholarship sets them apart
Josh said: “ECITB scholars come with all the pre-requisites required for our business. As a company, we are involved from the start with the initial recruitment of the scholars at the college, then ECITB and the college prepares them to progress seamlessly to work on-site.
“For us, it de-risks recruitment and ensures that when the scholars join, they have a good grounding in engineering construction, ensuring their skills and future progression aligns to the needs of the business. This scholarship instils a distinctive confidence and maturity in the learners that sets them apart.
“We invest in new recruits by enrolling them in an apprenticeship programme. For those with a mechanical scholarship, we may enhance their learning by providing additional training in electrical skills etc.”
Trillium’s first scholars excel
Caitlin Hodge, Paramvir Deerhe, and Connor Kenny completed the ECITB scholarship and were appointed as apprentices in August 2022.
Josh said: “When we interviewed Caitlin, Paramvir and Connor, we were very impressed with their engineering knowledge, their desire and determination to progress their knowledge and careers, and their personalities.”
Caitlin, Paramvir and Connor are now approaching the end of year three of their Level 3 apprenticeships.
Josh continues to be impressed: “They are all doing so well, they are always in demand across the business.”
Caitlin and Paramvir are progressing through a craft multi-skilled apprenticeship pathway which is predominantly mechanical, with electrical safety bolt-ons. Connor is a Technical Apprentice, which is centred around project control and project management.
Pictured before and after: Caitlin, Paramvir and Connor outside Forth Valley College after completing their ECITB Scholarship and (below) in their new roles at Trillium Flow Technologies.
ECITB supporting Trillium’s apprenticeship training
With the ECITB supporting the company to train its apprentices through the Apprenticeship grant, Trillium ensures it selects a mix of workshop and office practical training including reverse engineering, quality inspection, tendering, contract and project management.
Josh said: “We want them to understand all aspects of the business, so we rotate our apprentices around the company. They spend time in all six workshops covering hydro turbines, submersible pumps, machine shops, lathes, quality assurance and inspection.
“They get hands-on skills and have become highly skilled at using equipment including blasting and coatings, valves, controls and high integrity pumps.
“These programmes help to shape and develop young people through vocational skills and learning using Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Frameworks to meet the needs of both our company and the wider engineering construction industry.”
The company’s first-ever Technical Apprentices and Coatings Technicians were among the five to receive their Apprenticeship Papers (indentures) in April 2025.
They were successful in all their academic studies, achieving their respective SVQL2, SVQL3, NC and HNC qualifications.
The management team presented the five apprentices with their bound Apprentice Indentures (blue book). The Workshop Fitters and Coatings Technician also received a fully stocked rolling tool kit and top box. Technical Apprentices received a personalised leather-bound folder and an engraved pen set.
Pictured (main image above): Management team and apprenticeship supervisors at indenture award presentation with apprentices (front row, left to right): Kieran Kempski (L3 Technical Apprenticeship) has accepted a contract as a Junior APS Engineer and is now currently studying a Degree in Design Engineering. Ross Duncan (L3 Engineering Apprenticeship) Workshop Fitter, Jamie Downes (L2 Engineering Apprenticeship -Industrial Coatings) is now a Coatings Technician. Kieran Crews (L3 Technical Apprenticeship) is now Junior Reliability Project Engineer. Evan Watson (L3 Engineering Apprenticeship) is now a Workshop Fitter.
Josh advocates passionately for the enhanced promotion of engineering careers within schools, adding: “We have two STEM ambassadors in the company and we engage with local schools to reinvigorate interest in engineering.
“We attend an event every quarter to promote careers in our industry to young people. At these events we recommend the ECITB scholarship and Level 2 pre-apprenticeship course.”
Trillium’s future talent pipeline
Following the initial programme interviews at Forth Valley College in 2025, Trillium provided a conditional offer to six more learners upon successful completion of the scholarship programme.
About Trillium Flow Technologies
Trillium Flow Technologies is a global designer, manufacturer and aftermarket services provider of pumps and valves.
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