Focus on apprentices

Linde's stand, which featured a Renault F1 car, Linde electric go kart an interactive learning demonstration and two of Linde’s forklift trucks, aimed to recruit new apprentices and showcase Linde’s training programme.

Renault F1 plays a key part in Linde’s apprenticeship programme, hosting its annual ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards and offering a work placement at the blue chip company for the winner.

Linde’s four year apprenticeship programme for over 16 year olds teaches a broad range of skills and theory needed to service Linde’s large product range of forklift trucks. It is also accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and delivered through BITA and the FLTA.

Linde introduced its first certified apprenticeship scheme for the forklift truck industry in 2012, designed to help address the skills gap for qualified service engineers.

Jamie Hudson, 23, who took taking part in Linde’s apprenticeship programme, and is now employed full time at Linde said: “For me, the best thing about learning with Linde is that it's so practical; not only was I able to go and work with the team in the depot, but I also went on lots of customer visits where I really got to experience days in the life of a Linde engineer.