Growth is built one person at a time. At WHC Hire Services, that belief has never been more visible than in 2026.
The Tewkesbury-based plant and equipment hire company has appointed four new apprentices this year, taking the total proportion of staff either undertaking or completing an apprenticeship to over 10% of the WHC workforce.
The new cohort brings a range of disciplines into the business. Josh Taylor is enrolled on a Level 5 Operations Management apprenticeship, while Daniel Lane joins on a Level 3 Supervisory Management programme. Grace Clutterbuck is pursuing a Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketing apprenticeship with Gloucestershire College. Leon Armour, meanwhile, joins two existing WHC apprentices on a Level 3 Construction Plant Technician programme at Reaseheath College in Cheshire.
For a company founded in 1997 with nearly 30 years of trading history, investing in the next generation is nothing new. But reaching this milestone reflects a deliberate and growing commitment to developing talent from within.
Managing Director James Clutterbuck, whose own engineering background has long shaped his view on apprenticeships, said: “I am thrilled to be able to provide a space for committed young people to grow and support the growth of the hire industry. When I started WHC Hire Services back in 1997, I dreamed of building a legacy founded on passion, quality, care, and commitment. Values that are at the core of the business to this day. The staff offered the opportunity to upskill will become core pillars for the longevity of the business.”
Josh Taylor said: “I’ve been with WHC for nearly five years and gained a huge amount of experience in the industry during that time. Undertaking my Level 5 Operations Management apprenticeship will prepare me for the next step in my career.”
Daniel Lane added: “After moving from another tool hire company, I quickly knew I wanted to step into a more senior role. Supporting other staff and introducing systems that can enhance the efficiency of our small tools department is something I’m really motivated by. When I was offered the opportunity to enrol on my Level 3 Supervisory Management apprenticeship, I was delighted to accept.”
Leon Armour said: “Ever since joining WHC over 12 months ago I knew I was in the right place. The standards here are unmatched. I’ve worked closely with our two existing apprentices and absorbed so much from them already. When James approached me with the opportunity to do the same and obtain my Level 3 Construction Plant Technician apprenticeship, I was delighted to accept.”
Grace Clutterbuck added: “I’ve always been interested in getting involved in the family business, but I wanted to come in the right way. The apprenticeship felt like a real challenge. Something new. No two days are the same, and I love the idea of getting stuck into creating. Being in a familiar environment with a supportive team around me means I can really flourish.”
The plant hire and construction sectors are facing a well-documented skills shortage. Experienced technicians, managers and behind-the-scenes staff are increasingly hard to find. For a business operating over 1,000 pieces of equipment across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and Oxfordshire, that challenge is not abstract. It is felt every day. WHC’s answer is simple. Grow your own. With over 10% of the workforce now on an apprenticeship journey, that commitment runs deeper than a business decision. It is an investment in the local community, built on lasting values and a long-term vision of success.