As National Apprenticeship Week shines a spotlight on the power of learning while working, Grant Westfield—a division of Norcros Group (Holdings) Limited and the UK’s leading manufacturer of waterproof wall panels—is proudly celebrating the people and programmes shaping its future.
Apprenticeships have become a cornerstone of the company’s approach to developing talent. They open doors for people at every stage of their career, strengthen teams across the business, and ensure that Grant Westfield continues to innovate in a fast-moving industry.
Apprenticeships Across the Business
What makes Grant Westfield’s approach stand out is its breadth. Apprenticeships aren’t limited to one department or one type of learner—they’re embedded across IT, Sales Operations, Materials, and Accounts.
These programmes are open to all ages and backgrounds, offering opportunities for new entrants and long-standing employees alike. Whether someone is taking their first step into the industry or returning to education to advance their career, the message is clear: development is for everyone.
Building Future-Ready Skills in IT
The IT department is a powerful example of how apprenticeships can transform both individuals and teams. Three colleagues are currently progressing through different apprenticeship pathways, each bringing new expertise into the business.
- A Level 6 apprentice, recruited through Grant Westfield’s partnership with QA, has now advanced to a Network Engineer SCQF Level 8 programme. Their studies blend online learning with hands-on experience, supported by mentoring from their line manager.
- Another team member, who began as a modern apprentice, completed Levels 6 and 8 with exceptional results. After gaining practical experience, he progressed to a BEng (Hons) Cybersecurity Graduate Apprenticeship with Napier University—fully funded through Scottish Enterprise. Now in Year 4, he continues to be recognised for outstanding academic performance.
- A third apprentice is undertaking a Graduate Apprenticeship Masters degree with Glasgow Caledonian University, working towards an MSc in Cybersecurity.
These journeys demonstrate how apprenticeships bring fresh knowledge, new capabilities, and renewed energy into the IT team. While the company provides study time and mentoring, the return on investment—in innovation, capability, and confidence—is immeasurable.
Strengthening Skills in Accounts, Sales Operations, and Materials
The commitment to apprenticeships extends well beyond IT.
- In Accounts, an apprentice is working towards SCQF Level 6 in Digital Application Support. The previous apprentice in this team successfully secured a full-time role after completing their programme—a testament to the value of growing talent from within.
- In Sales Operations and the Materials Team, two colleagues are completing Modern Apprenticeships in Data Analytics at SCQF Level 8. These programmes, also delivered through the company’s long-standing partnership with QA, are helping teams make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Across all departments, apprentices are applying new theory and methodology directly into their day-to-day roles—strengthening both individual capability and organisational performance.
Apprenticeships That Reflect Norcros Values
Grant Westfield’s commitment to apprenticeships is deeply aligned with the four Norcros values:
Care: Supporting employee development and wellbeing through structured learning and mentoring.
Courage: Encouraging colleagues to take on new qualifications and stretch their potential.
Connections: Building strong relationships between learners, mentors, training partners, and teams.
Common Sense: Recognising the shared value apprenticeships bring to individuals and the business.
These values are woven through every apprenticeship journey, shaping a culture where learning is celebrated and growth is continuous.
A Future Built on Skills, Confidence, and Opportunity
As we mark National Apprenticeship Week, Grant Westfield is proud to champion the apprentices who are shaping the future of the business—and the leaders who support them.
Their achievements show what’s possible when organisations invest in people, create inclusive pathways for development, and believe in the potential of every employee.
It’s a commitment that strengthens teams, builds capability, and ensures the business continues to thrive. And it’s a powerful example of how apprenticeships can drive meaningful, long-term change across the construction sector.
