ZACH'S APPRENTICESHIP STORY
We asked our Electrical Engineering Degree Apprentice Zach Bentley to share his experience as an apprentice at Bentley Motors...
Apprenticeship: Electrical & Electronic Engineering Degree Apprentice (year 1)
Zach, you started your journey off with T levels instead of A-levels. What made you take that route, and did you always see an apprenticeship as your next step?
During school I struggled with exams and revision, so I decided after GCSEs I would make a change and came across a T-level Engineering. The blend of practical metal work, CAD design and work experience mixed with A-level style maths and physics seemed like a great fit to keep up with the theory whilst developing real word skills like prototyping and presenting.
Over the course of my two years in college completing my T-level I learned many skills by following project-based steps to design and create products. These skills were further developed during mock exams and exams where I got given a client's requirements and created a product to their specification following each step just like I do here at Bentley.
Following my T-level I investigated options for my next step, such as university, and found degree apprenticeships. Similar to the T-level, these combined University level education with experience in industry which sounded amazing and felt like the best fit for me. This made the transition into a fast-paced, high-quality manufacturing and engineering environment much smoother.
It must be fate having Bentley as a second name! Why did Bentley stand out to you when looking for an apprenticeship in Electrical & Electronic Engineering?
Bentley stood out to me because it offers a unique combination of high-level engineering, innovation, and real-world application. Bentley represents engineering excellence, particularly in integrating advanced electrical and electronic systems into high-performance, luxury vehicles, which strongly aligns with my interest in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
What especially attracted me was Bentley’s commitment to developing apprentices. The opportunity to gain hands-on experience alongside expert engineers, while studying towards a degree, made the apprenticeship feel both challenging and rewarding. I was also drawn to the rotation through different departments, as it allows me to build a broad understanding of electrical and electronic systems across the business. As a first-year apprentice, I have already seen how much Bentley encourages continuous learning, teamwork and innovation.
You joined Bentley as a degree apprentice this year – what were your first few weeks like starting with a community of apprentices?
Joining Bentley as a degree apprentice this year was an exciting but nerve-racking experience, at first. The first few weeks were a mix of inductions, training, and getting familiar with the company, its values, and how everything works. There was a lot to take in, but it was well structured, which helped make the transition smoother. I also met my managers and had a clear explanation of what was expected from me, this made me feel welcomed and valued as part of the Bentley team right from the start.
Additionally, starting alongside a strong community of apprentices made a huge difference. From day one, I was surrounded by people in a similar position, sharing the experience helped me feel more confident and settled.
You have moved quite far to join us! How have you found the relocation?
Yes, I relocated from Reading to Nantwich, a beautiful nearby town, to join Bentley. The transition was initially quite surreal, as it was my first time moving away from my friends and family. However, there were many opportunities to connect with other apprentices in the same situation. Before I joined, there was a group chat organised for all the apprentices to introduce themselves and share whether they were locating, we also had a call will the cohort of apprentice’s where we could ask any questions.
In July, the early careers team held an evening event with all the new apprentice’s, this is where I met several apprentices who were re locating. From this, I have had an incredibly positive experience joining several clubs and having a very active social life, spending most evenings and weekends with friends and colleagues. Overall, relocating has been great and the support from Bentley with the networking opportunities was incredible. I have never felt happier with all the new people I have met.
What kind of support have you received from your manager, mentors and wider team so far in your apprenticeship?
So far, I’ve received a great level of support throughout my apprenticeship. My manager has been very approachable and supportive, each week I have a 1:1 to discuss not only my projects but also to see how I am doing in and out of work. They’ve helped set clear expectations and encouraged me to take on new challenges at a pace that supports my learning.
I’ve also benefited a lot from the guidance of mentors and more experienced engineers within the team. When my manager is unavailable, I have a few mentors in the department I work closely with them and can go to for support no matter the situation or question. The team are always willing to share their knowledge and explain concepts in detail which has really helped develop my technical understanding and confidence.
How are you finding the balance between work and study as a degree apprentice, how have your experiences driven you towards your aspirations?
I’m finding the balance between work and study challenging at times, but overall, really rewarding. As a degree apprentice, my time is split between working and one day a week attending Sheffield Hallam university. I’m gaining professional experience, developing workplace skills, and building a network, all while earning a salary and working towards a degree. That combination makes the workload feel worthwhile and keeps me motivated.
Following my apprenticeship, I see myself continuing to develop within Bentley, taking on increased responsibility and building long-term expertise in my chosen field. T Levels gave me a solid technical foundation and valuable industry exposure at an early stage, while the Degree Apprenticeship has allowed me to apply that knowledge directly in a real working environment. This blended pathway has helped me develop not only technical skills, but also professionalism, confidence, and a clear understanding of workplace expectations. As a result, I feel well prepared to pursue my career aspirations and progress within the automotive industry, with a strong foundation for long-term growth and development.
What’s the most ‘Bentley’ moment you have experience whilst being here.
One of the most “Bentley” moments I’ve experienced so far was having the opportunity to be closely involved with the cars themselves and truly understand the level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into every vehicle. Being surrounded by people who take such pride in their work has been incredibly inspiring and has made me genuinely proud to say I work for Bentley.
A real highlight for me was having the chance to experience the product first-hand through multiple test drives. Seeing the cars come together is one thing but being able to drive in them and experience the performance, comfort, and refinement for myself made it feel very real and special.