Network75 students join our team
Neil Kinnerly • September 12, 2019
Welcoming Olivia and Ben to Philtronics
We have recently welcomed two Network75 students and are delighted to have them as part of our team!
What is Network75?
The Network75
programme provides students with the opportunity to gain work experience, earn a wage and study for a degree. The students work with us at Philtronics 3 days per week and attend university 2 days per week. The students chose the Network75 route to a degree because of the practical experience that working alongside their degree brings, along with the financial benefit of graduating from university with no student debt. At Philtronics, we believe that being able to put what you learn in university into practise in a real working environment is very important. This is why we have chosen to employ Network75 students. They are proven to become an essential part of the business and upon graduation, we hope to have tailor made employees who know the company inside and out.
What Ben has to say...
Ben is studying for a degree in Mechanical Engineering which he hopes will enable him to develop his analytical and mathematical skills to solve real life problems. He will enhance his capabilities in learning how to develop and manufacture well-designed products, along with understanding the fundamentals of engineering practises.
“I learned about Network75 through a teacher at my school. I knew that I didn’t want to follow the traditional university route and go into full time education, so I started looking for an apprenticeship. Network75 looked like a great option for me as I still wanted to learn and get an education but along with gaining the work experience that’s so important in the engineering industry too. I chose Philtronics as I was very interested in the products they develop and wanted to know more about them and how they are manufactured. I hope to become a valued asset to the company whilst gaining industry experience to further my career.”
What Olivia has to say...
Olivia will be studying for a Business Management degree as she is ambitious to find out how a successful business functions. She will learn all about the different aspects of business and how they inter-relate, along with modern approaches to management in the workplace, including the development of technologies which are becoming more advanced and the skills people require.
“After completing my A levels, I took a year out as I was unsure what career path I should take. Spending the year in full time employment made me realise that I wanted to continue to work, but I also knew that I wanted to further my education. Then a friend recommended the Network75 programme which I instantly knew suited my career aspirations. I took the placement with Philtronics because they expressed a genuine interest in helping me to bring what I learn in university into the workplace and seemed like a very ambitious, growth-driven company. I’m thrilled to be starting my career here!”
Anne Pritchard (Finance Director) on why Philtronics decided to employ Network75 students:
“From an employer’s perspective, the Network75 program is a great way to nurture future graduates with hands-on experience. We took on one Electronics & Electrical Engineering Network75 student last year, Kieran, who quickly became part of the team. It is a serious commitment on both parts as the program runs over 5 years but the difference between a standard graduate coming out of university with no real work experience and an experienced Network75 student is huge. We hope that all 3 students will thrive in their new roles and turn into valuable employees in the long run”.
We wish Ben and Olivia luck with their new placements and hope to see them thrive within the business!
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As the business grows, Philtronics continues to invest in its people to strengthen leadership, nurture internal talent, and create a culture of continuous improvement through initiatives such as the Philtronics Academy. Philtronics' Training Brief The company recognised the need to further develop its management team to support sustained growth and operational excellence. Many of the organisation’s managers had progressed organically through the ranks, gaining deep product and process expertise over years of hands-on experience. While this practical knowledge was an invaluable asset, Philtronics saw an opportunity to complement it with formal leadership development. The goal was to equip managers with the confidence, tools, and mindset to lead effectively in a fast-moving environment, improving communication, strengthening emotional intelligence, and empowering them to support their own teams’ growth. TSW's Solution To meet this need, Philtronics partnered with TSW Training to deliver the ILM Level 3 in Leadership & Management through the Philtronics Academy. The three-day, face-to-face programme, delivered by TSW, was tailored to Philtronics’ management team and covered: Team leadership and managing relationships Communication and core management skills Emotional intelligence in leadership Navigating business change and innovation Seven managers participated in the programme, completing three formal assignments that directly applied their learning to live workplace challenges. By embedding the programme within the Philtronics Academy, the company created a dedicated space for leadership growth and reinforced its commitment to developing internal talent. TSW Training also supported Philtronics in securing 50% funding , ensuring the investment remained cost-effective. Return On Investment The Impact The ILM Level 3 Award has had a transformative impact on the management team. Managers, many of whom have long been part of the Philtronics journey, reported greater confidence, enhanced communication skills, and improved collaboration across departments. The programme has: Strengthened teamwork and relationships across the business Improved adaptability to change and innovation Enhanced company culture through emotionally intelligent leadership By combining their existing technical expertise with new leadership capabilities, managers are now better equipped to motivate their teams, delegate effectively, and drive performance. The Outcome By investing in leadership development through the Philtronics Academy, the business has achieved measurable improvements across its management team and wider operations. Managers are more confident in decision-making, better at supporting their teams, and adept at applying emotional intelligence to strengthen workplace relationships. This has led to improved engagement, collaboration, and a more positive organisational culture. The training has also enhanced Philtronics’ ability to adapt to change and drive innovation. Managers are now more proactive in identifying opportunities for process improvements and implementing change initiatives, leading to increased efficiency and resilience. The ILM Level 3 in Leadership & Management has been a transformative investment in Philtronics’ management capability. Building on the deep business knowledge of its people, the programme equipped managers with practical tools to drive team performance, foster collaboration, and lead with confidence. Next Steps The success of the ILM Level 3 programme marks just the beginning. As part of its ongoing people-development strategy, Philtronics has already booked Six Sigma Yellow and Green Belt programmes, as well as HR Skills for Non-HR Managers courses with TSW, continuing its investment in leadership and operational excellence. Through the Philtronics Academy and its partnership with TSW Training, Philtronics is ensuring that its managers and the wider business are equipped for sustained growth, innovation, and long-term success. Testimonials From ​Philtronics Anne Pritchard, CFO of Philtronics, shared: “The training delivered by TSW has had a very positive impact on our team. All participants rated the training 5 out of 5, agreeing that the content was engaging and directly applicable to their roles. Their learning was significantly enhanced by the trainer's extensive knowledge and the real-world experiences shared throughout the course.” Dan, Quality & NPI Manager, added: “Really enjoyed the tuition from TSW. Clearly the trainer is an individual with a wealth of knowledge and experience that made the course enjoyable and relatable. I would welcome another training opportunity with TSW and with the same instructor.” When asked how they plan to apply their learning, Calum, Engineering Manager, highlighted: “The motivation and team improvement techniques,” underscoring the practical value of the programme for day-to-day leadership.
