Matt Wilkinson, Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding Specialist for WD-40 Company, says apprenticeships have been a fantastic pathway for bringing talent into the business. 

WD-40 Company’s EIMEA (Europe, India, Middle East, and Africa) headquarters is in Milton Keynes, serving as the central hub for its growing business across these regions. 

The company’s partnership with Milton Keynes College goes back many years, as apprenticeships have become a key part of the organisation’s approach to talent development. They have recently welcomed four new MK College apprentices (Finlay, Sophie, Holly, and Stella), reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to nurturing talent from within. 

Matt says, “Many of our people across EIMEA began as apprentices, and some have been with us for 20+ years. It’s been a fantastic pathway for us to identify talent and support their development within the business. In fact, half of our IT team started as apprentices!” 

The business also offers employees the opportunity to pursue degree apprenticeships, helping them to build skills and develop in leadership roles. 

When asked about the benefits of hiring apprentices, Matt says, “You get a really fresh perspective from someone coming into the business with a new set of eyes. They bring a great dynamic to the workplace. 

Long-term, it’s a good source of early career talent coming into the business, and quite often the students and apprentices we take on do go on to join us full-time. The content they’re learning in their course aligns well with emerging trends, too.” 

On the experience of working with MK College, Matt says, “It’s been great working with them. They are incredibly supportive, and you can tell they genuinely care and are passionate about what they do. 

What sets them apart from other providers is that they take the time to really get to know the business and the kind of people who would thrive at WD-40 Company,” he adds. “From a recruitment and retention perspective, the experience has been very positive. The calibre of candidates has consistently been strong.” 

When asked what advice he would give other employers thinking of working with MK College, he says, “It is a big commitment – it is not just about bringing someone in as an extra resource. These are people with real enthusiasm and a passion for learning. As employers, there’s a real responsibility to make sure it’s right for you and that you have the time and space to give that young person the best chance to succeed.” 

To find out more about working with MK College, get in touch with the Employer Team: employerteam@mkcollege.ac.uk