Xtrac adacemy
XTRAC
ACADEMY

FUTURE

LEADERS

FORGING OUR OWN FUTURE

For over 30 years we have been forging our own future by offering award winning apprentice and undergraduate training. With the opening of the Xtrac Academy in 2022, we are investing further in the future of our company by providing structured training for our innovative future leaders.

Through our outreach programmes with local schools we also provide work experience for year 10, 11 and 12 pupils to get a taste of mechanical engineering in a high performance environment. Additionally, we offer paid summer intern work for students studying at university, usually in their first or second year.

INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE

INTRODUCING THE XTRAC ACADEMY

“Moving from fossil fuels through hybrid to fully electric motive power, the global transportation system is on a once in a generation journey towards decarbonisation. Royally recognised for its innovation, Xtrac’s EV transmissions are a key component for these future low carbon transportation systems.”

Adrian Moore, CEO

Apprentices

Apprentices

You will be supported throughout your training by our Apprentice Manager, Warren Page, who will ensure that your transition into Xtrac and full-time employment is as easy as possible.

As a school leaver, you can choose between Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships which follow an ifATE approved advanced apprenticeship in mechanical engineering.

Our Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship as an Engineering Operative is an 18 month programme which combines practical on-the-job training with attendance at Newbury College one day a week (term-time).

Our Level 3 Engineering Technician is a 4 year programme that combines practical on-the-job training with attendance at Newbury College one day a week (term-time).

The window for apprenticeship applications opens in November, with the selection process being held during March / April time.
Undergraduates

Undergraduates

As an undergraduate you will benefit from a paid one year undergraduate work placement which is open to any mechanical or motorsport engineering student studying for a Bachelor's or Master’s degree.

You will gain exposure of a diverse mix of projects, broadening your knowledge and skills. This is your opportunity to experience working within the professional engineering community for the worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of transmission systems, providing you with an excellent grounding to enable your future career to flourish.

Your placement within our engineering team will enhance your understanding of how a successful organisation works. During the year-long placement you will gain experience on both new and current products, and develop your personal and professional skills.

The placement offers you a formal induction, including full training on Siemens NX computer aided engineering (CAE) software and once completed you will contribute to real programmes as a valued team member on the next generation of Motorsport and High Performance Automotive transmissions. For those students with an analytical focus you will be working in our Advanced Engineering group utilsing the very latest simulation and analysis software.

During your placement you will be assigned a mentor, receiving regular reviews and feedback to ensure that expectations are being realised. It is Xtrac’s aim to drive high performance during your placement year and those who perform exceptionally will be sponsored for their final year with a job offer on successful completion.

The application window for undergraduates looking to start a placement in August 2024, has now closed. The application window will reopen in September 2024 with the selection process taking place from November 2024 for placements looking to commence in August 2025.
Graduates

Graduates

As our business continues to grow, so do our exciting graduate opportunities. If you’re either a recent graduate or someone on track to graduate this year and have a real interest in working with some of the world’s most prestigious motorsport and automotive customers, then we’d love to hear from you.

We’re always keen to nurture and develop the careers of ambitious individuals who strive for success and have a desire to grow their career with Xtrac. As a successful applicant, you will have the opportunity to further develop key skills in your chosen discipline through exposure to a variety of transmission systems and architectures across a range of projects, through both team and independent work, with additional training where required.

Customer visits and / or track support could become a regular part of your job role so you’ll never be far from the action when it comes to the latest in transmission technology.

Graduate job roles are frequently posted on our careers page. Alternatively, you can email us your CV for consideration for future suitable positions.
Internships

Internships

We offer paid summer intern work for science or engineering students studying at University, usually in their first or second year. For a 6-8 week period you will work either in our Advanced Engineering department (R&D or Gear Technology) or with our Operations team supporting our engineers and technicians.

In many cases our interns have gone on to be successful in their application for an undergraduate sponsorship with Xtrac.
Work Experience

Work Experience

Our work experience week runs from 17th – 20th June 2024 for local school pupils in year 10, 11 or 12, for pupils studying GCSEs, BTEC, A Levels or T Levels, offers a unique experience of manufacturing in a high performance environment.

During your week-long work experience, you will spend time in each of Xtrac’s key departments, including engineering, manufacturing, build shop and commercial, developing important new skills to help get your motorsport / automotive / engineering career off to a racing start.

The window for our June 2024 work experience applications is now open, please register your interest below by clicking on the link.
Further Education

Further Education

Xtrac will always encourage you to maximise your potential, offering study support for your chosen field, as agreed in your personal development plan.

As part of your development, you will have the opportunity to top up your apprenticeship with an HNC, progressing to an HND and even to degree level.

If you have graduated from a degree course, Xtrac can support you in achieving your Master’s or PHD.

Non-engineers can also benefit from Xtrac’s support, for example those working in a finance role wanting to achieve Certified Chartered Accountant status.

THE FUTURE STARTS HERE

YOU MATTER TO US

Your future and our future are inextricably linked. As we move forward in our position of number one global high performance transmission manufacturer, it’s essential that we work with new, young people. In that way, our journey's into the future can be mutually assured.

RECOGNITION

ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR EFFORTS

If you are an outstanding apprentice or are excelling whilst studying for a bachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent qualification, your achievements will be rated along with those of your peers in the judging process for one of our coveted annual awards.

The Darren Huttel Award, named after the former well-loved Xtrac employee and ex apprentice who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at aged 35 in September 2005 is open to all current Xtrac apprentices. Voting criteria for the award takes into consideration quality of college work and overall performance and conduct both at work and at college.

The Mark O’Brien Award recognises employees supported by the company for a bachelor’s degree or higher or equivalent qualification. Consideration is given to academic progress, contribution to the business and the wider community, their personal development over the past 12 months, and their positive attitude in offering and implementing improvement ideas.

Mark O’Brien who, despite fighting valiantly against cancer, lost his battle in October 2014 worked at Xtrac as a Business Manager for 3 years and made a significant contribution to the company and became an extremely well-respected member of the commercial team.

ACCREDITATIONS

OUTSTANDING TRAINING AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

Recognised in the Pincess Royal Training Awards in 2018 and 2021.

Following rigorous assessment by the City & Guilds Group, Xtrac successfully met the standard of excellence required for a Princess Royal Training Award in 2021. Xtrac previously received the Award in 2018, shortly after the City & Guilds Group established the accolade.

“This latest honour will be well received, and I know the entire company will be delighted,” says company president Peter Digby. Starting his career as a British Airways apprentice and being Xtrac’s longest-serving employee, he has long supported the development of its apprentice scheme. “Our employee training programmes strongly underpin our success as an advanced automotive technology company.”

COLLABORATIONS

WORKING WITH COMPANIES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES

Xtrac works with a number of training focused organisations including IMechE, Newbury College, City and Guilds, Industry Skills Board, Talent Gen, Farnborough College of Technology, West Berkshire Training Consortium, The MIA and many universities offering relevant training courses.

Working with GTA (Group Training Associations), Xtrac has fed back and assisted IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education) with developing future apprenticeship standards.

In conjunction with the BGA (British Gear Association), you will either gain initial knowledge of gearing or extend your existing skills and knowledge as part of your continual development plan, if relevant to your chosen role.

We work with iHASCO to provide regular and up-to-date online training for all employees in areas such as Essential Health and Safety, HR, DSE and Manual Handling.