Swift Innovative Solutions in Diss takes on apprentice as firm grows

The owner of a growing automotive consultancy business is offering aspiring engineers the chance to follow in his footsteps and take their first steps in the industry.

Rick Simpson, of Swift Innovative Solutions, Diss, is keen to help more young people find their dream job – and has already welcomed his first apprentice.

The owner, who has rubbed shoulders with the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley, Ford, McLaren and Lotus, has been able to take the step thanks to the Growth Through Innovation grant, which is supported by Norfolk County Council.

The 50-year-old said: “Young businesses can struggle for a bit of cash flow at first.

“With match-funding, it has helped us to acquire some of the equipment, including laser scanning technology, that we now have at our Vince’s Road site.

“Its help has also put us up a rung of the ladder a bit quicker and has helped me to get my first apprentice, Zack Hines.”

The business founder, who started the enterprise in Hoxne in July last year, feels apprenticeships are so important, having done one himself to get into the industry.

“I started as an apprentice in Diss when I was 17 as well,” he said.

“So I know first-hand how vital it is to do your learning whilst doing the job. By the time I was 25, I was not only fully trained but had the experience as well from learning from the coal face.”

From his own apprenticeship, he has now accumulated more than 30 years in the industry, primarily in motorsport and high-performance road cars.

Mr Simpson’s new addition will be training as an apprentice design engineer and doing his course through City College Norwich.

“Zack has hit the ground running since the start of the month and has helped lift the business already,” the owner said.

“I feel it is great bringing on young talents into the industry and he is such a sponge for knowledge.”

“If we carry on this road, we would like to get one more apprentice in the future and another engineer.”