Six apprentices from across Hyde Group recently visited the Rolls-Royce site in Derby for an immersive experience designed to deepen their understanding of advanced aerospace manufacturing.
The visit began with a guided tour of the civil engine assembly line, where the apprentices saw firsthand the precision, scale and coordination required to build Rolls-Royce’s world-leading aero engines. The tour was deliberately interactive, with Rolls-Royce experts testing the apprentices’ knowledge, prompting discussions and encouraging them to consider the complexities of engine functionality. They explored the sequence of the assembly process and learned how the organisation adapts to real challenges such as part or material shortages and production pressures. This approach transformed the experience from simply observing a line into actively engaging with the engineering problems and decision-making. It offered them a clearer picture of how the tooling we manufacture feeds into the broader aerospace supply chain.
In the afternoon, the group visited the Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust (Derby and Hucknall Branch), located within the company’s Learning and Development Centre and run by dedicated volunteers. The museum brought the company’s storied engineering legacy to life, showcasing not only civil aero engines but the diverse range of industries where Rolls-Royce innovation has made its mark. Walking through the collection felt like stepping back in time, with decades of engineering excellence displayed across the exhibits.
The apprentices particularly enjoyed learning about how Charles Rolls and Henry Royce first met in Manchester, a meaningful connection to Hyde Group’s own home city. The museum helped them appreciate Rolls-Royce as more than an aerospace manufacturer, but a company with a far-reaching, multifaceted influence across multiple sectors.
For many apprentices, the day offered an important moment of perspective. Seeing how the components, tools and fixtures produced within Hyde Group contribute to such a complex and globally significant operation gave them a renewed appreciation for the importance of their work. The visit reinforced how vital their growing skills are within the supply chain and within the wider engineering ecosystem.
This visit also reflects the strong and long-standing relationship between Hyde Group and Rolls-Royce, a partnership built on collaboration, precision, history and shared engineering standards. As a key supplier of tooling across their programmes, maintaining close engagement with Rolls Royce is essential to us.
Hyde Group extends sincere thanks to Rolls-Royce for welcoming our apprentices and dedicating time to their development. Experiences like this are invaluable in inspiring the next generation of engineers.