Renishaw, the global engineering technologies company, is to recruit a record 50 apprentices across its Gloucestershire and South Wales sites.

The company is offering an award-winning scheme, where apprentices gain nationally recognised qualifications, some up to degree level, alongside on-the-job experience.

Applications are now open until Friday March 9th, the end of National Apprenticeship Week.

The apprenticeships range from technical and manufacturing schemes requiring GCSE qualifications to degree-level apprenticeships in software and embedded electronic systems design, open to young people who have completed their A Levels.

From the first year, apprentices on these programmes will study for their degree alongside working on projects at Renishaw, gaining theoretical knowledge that can be applied during hands-on projects.

Embedded electronic systems design apprentices work towards a BEng (Hons) in electronic and computer engineering, accredited by the University of the West of England (UWE).

Software engineering apprentices study for a BSc (Hons) in digital and technology solutions in partnership with the University of Exeter, one of two Russell Group universities offering this degree apprenticeship in 2018.

"An apprenticeship at Renishaw gives you the opportunity to work on ground-breaking engineering projects," explained Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw. "As well as gaining hands-on experience in innovative and exciting industries, our apprentices have access to expert training and support, to continually build on the skills they are learning as part of their studies.

"In addition to our degree-level apprenticeships, around 70 per cent of apprentices on our standard schemes go on to achieve a full honours degree.

"This means they can be considered a route into further education - with no debt - as well as the first step to a rewarding and challenging career."

For its Gloucestershire based headquarters, Renishaw is searching for 20 technical apprentices, ten manufacturing apprentices, ten degree-level software apprentices and four degree-level embedded electronics systems design apprentices. The company is also recruiting for six manufacturing apprentices at its Miskin site.

In 2017, Renishaw's apprentices and former apprentices have been recognised for their successes by numerous industry awards.

This includes Lucy Ackland, named as one of the UK's top 50 engineers by The Daily Telegraph and Stephen Pickles, named Apprentice of the Year for Wales at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru. Roxanne Pollard was also awarded the TATA Prize from the University of South Wales, for the highest degree mark scored by a part time student.

For more information on apprenticeships at Renishaw and the application process visit www.renishaw.com/apprentice .

Renishaw is a world leading engineering technologies company, supplying products used for applications as diverse as jet engine and wind turbine manufacture, through to dentistry and brain surgery. It has over 4,000 employees located in the 35 countries where it has wholly owned subsidiary operations.

For the year ended June 2017 Renishaw recorded sales of £536.8 million of which 95 per cent was due to exports. The company's largest markets are China, the USA, Japan and Germany.