Where are they now?
Hear from our previous apprentices about where they are now and how the apprenticeship scheme helped.
Hear from our previous apprentices about where they are now and how RPL's Apprenticeship Programme shaped their career path.
Technical Apprentice (1994-1998)
Richard Aston - Digital Operations & Engineering Assistant General Manager
“Having worked at RPL for over 25 years, I can say that the apprenticeship programme was instrumental in developing the skills I needed that ultimately shaped and guided me into the role I hold today. From a junior engineer to a more engineering specialist role, I was always encouraged and supported to innovate which, over the years, has been key to contributing to both personal and company success.”
Commercial Apprentice (2004-2006)
Andrew Benning - Health & Safety Assistant Manager
"My apprenticeship gave me a broad understanding of what makes the business tick. Being fresh from my A-Levels I didn’t have a clue what half the departments did... Along the way, I’ve learnt a lot, met some great people and developed key partnerships, colleagues and friends. I’ve been here 20 years now and my Health & Safety role requires me to go literally everywhere on our sites. It’s great to have developed such strong relationships with people from all work areas, which is invaluable to the work I do. My Commercial Apprenticeship has made this possible."
Commercial Apprentice (2014-2017)
Molly Craig - Assistant Finance Manager
"I started my career at RPL as a Commercial Apprentice in 2014. I worked in different departments including HR, IT, Finance, Business Development and Purchasing. I enjoyed my Finance placement which is where I finished the final year of my apprenticeship. I then applied for a role within the department and I have now made my way up to Assistant Finance Manager. During my apprenticeship, I also completed a HNC in Business Studies and have since completed my CIMA qualification. I recommend the Apprenticeship Programme as it allows you to gain important key skills, whilst working within the different commercial departments at Ricoh UK Products Ltd."
Commercial Apprentice (1998-2000)
Becky Jones - Senior HR Officer
"At the age of 17, choosing what path to take post A-Levels was extremely daunting. I knew that I didn't want to go to university, but also knew that I wanted to keep learning whilst keeping my options open. I was advised at a college to consider an apprenticeship but, to me, they were for electricians and mechanics. That wasn’t me, I liked business and people. Skip forward six months and I was fortunate to secure a Commercial Apprenticeship with RPL. The Apprenticeship Programme provided an important foundation to my career by enabling me to develop an understanding of all aspects of the business and therefore make an informed career choice. The wider business knowledge I gained through my apprenticeship has been invaluable to me as a HR professional, so 23 years on (and counting!) I’m still here and this is because of the people, innovation and passion for excellence. I am still learning and growing in my career every day."
Technical Apprentice (2004-2008)
Ashley James - Engineering Specialist
"I started at RPL as a Technical Apprentice. After 8 years of college and university I made my way up the engineering ladder to a Senior Engineer position with a team of my own, introducing new products and developing automation equipment. Joining the Apprenticeship Programme was the best decision I could have made. Ricoh UK Products Ltd has trained, educated and developed me into the engineer I am today."
Commercial Apprentice (2013-2016)
Charlotte Maxwell - PMO Specialist
"I was fortunate to begin my career as a Commercial Apprenticeship in 2013 — how time flies! The apprenticeship gave me valuable practical experience across a range of commercial departments, it allowed me to work with a variety of teams, explore different career paths and provided many opportunities to develop my skills and to take on new challenges both personally and professionally. The apprenticeship programme certainly played a key role in shaping and progressing my career to where it is today."
