National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) is a time to recognise the people, stories and opportunities that apprenticeships create – and at NTG Group, we have plenty to celebrate.

For our Group Business Development Director, Nick Betts, an apprenticeship wasn’t just a qualification – it was the starting point of his entire career. From those early days learning on the job to leading at a senior level today, his journey is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can open doors, build confidence, and shape future leaders.

Here, he reflects on where it all began and the lasting impact it’s had on his professional life.

 

You started your career as an apprentice – can you tell us a little bit about that?

My apprenticeship began with a family run local business in Colne, Lancashire, the company was known at the time as Cleveland Guest Engineering (CGE). Whilst working with them I also attended the local college in Nelson & Burnley to begin my HNC (Higher National Certificate) and then moved onto my HND (Higher National Diploma) in Mechanical Engineering. The apprenticeship was four years long and I shared my time between hands-on training at the company and attending college for my academic studies.

All my qualifications were paid for and sponsored by my employer on the prevision that I passed my exams, course work and modules each year.

 

How did your apprenticeship set you up for longer-term success?

During my time as an apprentice, I learned a breath of skills from my employer and the training college. This included turning, milling, grinding and programming, as well as tool selection feeds and speeds.

Following my apprenticeship, I was offered the opportunity to be a Manufacturing Engineer with CGE. During this time, I was responsible for programming CNC lathes and milling machines to produce aerospace/defence components. I also went back to university to sit my degree in Mechanical Engineering, and again this was funded by my employer.

Upon passing my degree I decided it was time for a change and moved into tooling sales with Walter GB Limited, initially as an Applications Engineer, and then I took on responsibility for a geographical region. I enjoyed solving problems and making machining more productive, so naturally my career progressed. First onto working with BSL Engineering (High Speed Milling), then onto working with Sunnen Products Limited, and finally my career came full circle back to selling machined products with Mollart Cox Engineering/Perfect Bore Manufacturing, then onto Senior Aerospace Weston. I then moved into my current role at NTG Group, as Group Business Development Director, in which I manage my own sales team.

My apprenticeship not only gave me engineering knowledge and industry experience but also my first step on to the career ladder.

 

What advice would you give to someone looking to do an apprenticeship?

For anybody exploring an apprenticeship – or looking into their career journey – I would definitely advise that they consider it! You get paid to learn and you develop far more skills than you can ever imagine. Look at my journey – I am proud to be the Group Business Development Director for NTG Group, and it all started with an engineering apprenticeship.