The employee-owned manufacturer, based in Devon, specialises in industrial air movement and drying technologies. Its new two-year scheme will provide rotational placements across core business functions, reflecting a wider industry push to develop domestic engineering talent amid persistent recruitment challenges.

Founded in 1969 and transitioning to employee ownership in 2023, the company is now led by Managing Director Lucy Cockerill. Its current strategy focusses on sustainable growth, technical development and workforce development.

The programme will recruit one to two graduates each year, prioritising depth of training over intake volume. Participants will gain hands-on experience in operations, manufacturing, quality assurance, product design and commercial engineering, contributing to live projects from the outset.

Air Control Industries’ portfolio includes industrial fans, blowers and air knife systems designed to improve energy efficiency, process reliability and workplace safety. These are used across sectors, including food and beverage, manufacturing and industrial processing, supported by specialist divisions such as JetBlack Safety and Hyroic drying technology.

Mat Ayres, Innovation & Engineering Manager, said the initiative is designed to support recruitment while strengthening knowledge retention and cross-functional collaboration. “Graduates will be involved in process improvement initiatives, documentation of engineering best practices, and supporting continuous improvement activities across the production environment. Developing engineering talent is critical to the long-term resilience of UK manufacturing. This programme is designed to accelerate practical learning, embed technical expertise and bring new perspectives into the business. As an employee-owned company, we are particularly focused on creating meaningful career pathways and retaining skills within the organisation.”

The first cohort will begin in September at the company’s Axminster facility.

The launch reflects a broader shift among UK manufacturers towards structured early-career development as a means of addressing skills shortages, improving productivity and supporting future innovation.