Apprentice programme takes on aerospace engineer in training

The WDS catalogue boasts over 20,000 parts, most of which are designed and manufactured in-house. Visitors to the WDS website are able to browse through the catalogue and download 3D CAD files for every standard part. This service is being further enhanced with animated movies exported from the design team’s CAD platform - all thanks to Sam.

Chris Putman, Sales and Marketing Director for WDS, commented: “Our design and engineering capabilities are of our key strengths, so we believe that it’s vital that we invest in the future by supporting student engineers and offering apprenticeship programmes. Joining the design team, Sam is helping us to populate our CAD library and has added an extra element of flair with his animations.

“Sam is also working on our engineered services, helping to deliver bespoke parts to customers who have identified a need for specialised components. This might range from slight alterations to existing parts through to totally bespoke components designed from scratch.”

Sam worked at WDS during the summer break in 2016 and became familiar with the team and the high quality of work that’s produced, now he’s back for a one-year placement in a design engineering role, much to his delight.

Sam said: “The design job at WDS is incredibly varied. Each day I’m working on a new project, often designing a completely new part for someone looking for a specific solution for their project. We have a great engineering production facility so there are very few limitations on what we can do which is really exciting and rewarding for me personally.

“I am studying Aerospace Engineering at Teeside University, I am from the Leeds area originally, so it made sense to look for a company closer to home. When I graduate I’d love to work for a versatile engineering company such as WDS, the experience I’m gaining is amazing and I honestly couldn’t speak more highly of the team of people I work with.”

WDS has a policy of bringing on young people in engineering, design and technical sales, investing in the business and the future workforce of the UK.