Bethany Wallace is making her mark in the textile engineering world having embarked upon a specialist textile engineering apprenticeship.

Working at Sam Weller Ltd in Holmfirth, the firm specialises in producing technical textiles for industrial purposes. The company boasts a rich heritage dating back to 1911 and continues to uphold many of its original techniques and processes to this day.

Having previously worked in retail since she was young, Bethany learnt about the job vacancy at Sam Weller through a friend: “I thought it would be interesting to try and learn something new and my friend told me it was easy to learn.”

She joined the firm in May 2023 as a weaver. Later that year, Bethany was offered the opportunity to start a Textiles Engineering Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship is a bespoke course dedicated to people working in the textile industry, helping to push boundaries, up-skill their staff and bridge the gap of an ageing workforce – a challenge many textile manufacturers have.

Bethany is now in her final year of her apprenticeship and there is so much scope for the future. Her career progression once she has completed her course could lead to her being promoted to assistant turner and eventually turner within the firm.

Bethany said: “I like learning new things – especially technical stuff. It’s different and it’s opening up opportunities for the future and my career.”

She added: “Its good progression because all the tuners are a lot older and will be retiring in the near future.”

Our Textile Engineering Apprenticeships are run in partnership with Calderdale College. To learn more about this course, please click here.