Crestchic has strengthened its partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College (BSDC), taking on more apprentices from the college this year and opening its doors to the college’s international partners – most recently welcoming a delegation of visitors from Japan.
Last week, Crestchic hosted BSDC staff alongside representatives from Japan’s National Institute of Technology (KOSEN) and Toyota KOSEN. During the visit, the group toured the manufacturing facility, saw loadbanks being built and tested, and met members of the production team and Crestchic’s BSDC apprentices, gaining a first-hand view of advanced manufacturing in action locally.
The delegation was in Burton to work with BSDC on a new Global Entrepreneurship Programme. From 2027, the annual programme will bring engineering students from KOSEN’s network of 51 colleges across Japan to the UK for an immersive three-week experience combining engineering and manufacturing with leadership, entrepreneurship, communication, and cross-cultural collaboration.
John Woodward, Production Manager at Crestchic, said: “Our partnership with Burton and South Derbyshire College is something we really value. Taking on apprentices from college gives young people in our area a route into a skilled engineering career and gives us the chance to develop the next generation of talent. Welcoming the KOSEN delegation was a fantastic opportunity to show international visitors the kind of hands-on manufacturing happening on the college’s doorstep, and we were proud to play a part in supporting a global programme that will help shape the engineers of the future.”
Closer to home, Crestchic’s relationship with BSDC continues to grow through ongoing apprenticeships. This year, the business has taken on new apprentices through the college, combining college-based learning with hands-on experience across Crestchic’s production and engineering teams.
