Air Control Industries launches graduate engineering programme to address sector skills gap

We have launched our first Engineering Graduate Programme as part of a long-term strategy to help address the UK’s engineering skills shortage and build in-house capability across our manufacturing operations.

As an employee-owned manufacturer based in Devon, we specialise in industrial air movement and drying technologies. Our structured two-year Engineering Graduate Programme is designed to develop early-career engineers through rotational placements across our core business functions. The initiative reflects a broader industry push to strengthen domestic engineering talent pipelines amid ongoing recruitment challenges.

Founded in 1969 and employee-owned since 2023, we are now led by Managing Director Lucy Cockerill. Our strategy focuses on sustainable growth, technical innovation and developing the next generation of engineering talent.

The graduate programme will take on one to two candidates annually, prioritising depth of training over volume intake. Successful applicants will gain hands-on experience in operations, manufacturing, quality assurance, product design and commercial engineering, working on live projects from the outset.

Our product portfolio includes industrial fans, blowers and air knife systems designed to improve energy efficiency, process reliability and workplace safety. These are deployed across multiple sectors, including food and beverage, manufacturing and industrial processing, under its core brand and specialist divisions such as JetBlack Safety personnel safety solutions and Hyroic drying technology.

Mat Ayres, Innovation & Engineering Manager, said: “The programme is intended not only to support recruitment but also to enhance knowledge retention and cross-functional collaboration within the business. 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.”

Successful candidates are due to begin in September at our Axminster facility.

The launch signals a continued shift among UK manufacturers towards structured early-career development to address skills shortages, improve productivity, and support future innovation.