In line with the UK’s renewed focus on vocational pathways, Carrier has concluded its 2026 apprentice event, ‘One Carrier: Together We Grow’, at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire. The two-day gathering brought together emerging talent from Carrier, Toshiba and Viessmann, underscoring the role of employer-led development in building technical and trade skills.
As the UK Government seeks to revitalise apprenticeships and address skills gaps, employer investment in early-career professionals offers a model for strengthening technical routes. Official data shows almost one in six UK roles is in critical demand. At the same time, the Government aims for two-thirds of young people to be in higher-level training, academic study or apprenticeships by age 25.
Investing in technical talent is increasingly vital, and modern apprenticeship programmes are designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application. ‘At Carrier, we believe that investing in technical talent is a strategic necessity, not just an educational one,” said Adele Watson, apprenticeship programme lead for Carrier Commercial HVAC. “The UK HVAC sector runs with a skilled workforce deficit. By bringing our apprentices together from across the business, we’re nurturing the collaboration and safety-first mindsets that are critical to delivering the high-value technical skills the country needs,’
The Warwickshire event gave apprentices from varied business functions and engineering disciplines time to focus on personal and professional growth. Day one centred on The Carrier Way values and behaviours, safety mindsets and decision-making under peer and time pressures, with outdoor teamwork challenges reinforcing communication and trust.
Day two focused on career progression and self-awareness through interactive planning workshops and a Q&A panel with senior engineers and recently qualified former apprentices, helping participants identify strengths and build confidence. Neil Woodall from Jajo Talent, invited to facilitate the event, commented, ‘By helping them identify their unique strengths, we are empowering apprentices to take ownership of their development and contribute exceptional quality and leadership to their teams from day one.’
By helping apprentices collaborate, learn and build professional networks, Carrier is developing future leaders while showing how businesses can support a highly skilled, future-ready UK workforce.
Neil Woodall of Jajo Talent reinforcing the values and behaviours of The Carrier Way.
Carrier HVAC team: Adele Watson (Apprenticeship Programme Lead, UK&I), Emili de Oliveira (Head of Service Training, Europe), and Pedro Taieti (Head of Modernisation Project Management, Europe)