Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Stephenson College visits Toyota Material Handling
Thursday 12th February 2026
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Stephenson College was proud to visit Toyota Material Handling to celebrate its strong partnership and the high-quality Apprenticeship opportunities it provides.
The visit showcased the Level 3 Lift Truck and Powered Access Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, a programme designed specifically to meet the needs of the materials handling industry. Apprentices develop a blend of technical, practical and professional skills, including maintaining, diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems, while working safely and in line with industry regulations.
During the tour, which was attended by Stephenson College Principal Jonny Watkin, and the Apprenticeship team, staff learnt more about four of the large scale workshops where the Apprentices learn. They discussed the variety of tasks they get involved in, the Apprenticeship progression routes of former learners and the future of the industry.
Engineering Apprentices at Toyota are involved in the day-to-day servicing, inspection, repair and diagnostics of forklift trucks, working with a wide range of equipment including LPG, diesel and battery-powered trucks. This hands-on experience ensures Apprentices gain industry-relevant skills from the outset.
A key strength of the programme is the level of support provided. Apprentices benefit from structured inductions, dedicated mentors, full PPE, protected study time, regular progress reviews and the opportunity to learn from multiple experienced engineers. This supportive environment helps Apprentices grow in confidence as responsibility increases.
This partnership aligns closely with Stephenson College’s long-term vision of industry and partnership-led education and skills development.
Now part of Loughborough College Group, Stephenson College continues to work closely with industry partners like Toyota Material Handling to deliver training that meets regional and national skills needs.
National Apprenticeship Week is an ideal opportunity to celebrate the success of this collaboration and the positive impact it has on developing the next generation of skilled engineers.
