WEC Machining Marks Academy Milestone with Bespoke Building Replica
To mark 20 years of the WEC Engineering Academy, WEC Machining produced something a little different to help celebrate the milestone: a replica of the Academy building, machined with care and attention to detail.
Pictured to the left is Tamara, who designed the Academy replica keepsake.
The machined keepsake was created at WEC Machining as a special anniversary gift and
featured a laser-cut and powder coated number 20 on top to mark the occasion.
It was presented to WEC Group’s founder, Steve Hartley, during the WEC Engineering Academy Apprentice Awards, held at Ewood Park in October 2026.
The annual Apprentice Awards are always an important date in the WEC Group calendar, giving us the opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and achievements of our apprentices. However, this year’s event was particularly special as we celebrated two decades of the WEC Engineering Academy.
Alongside awards recognising our highest-performing apprentices, we also took the opportunity to celebrate the people who have been part of the Academy and WEC Group for many years. Former apprentices from across the business were invited to attend, bringing together people at different stages of their careers who all share one thing in common: they started their journey as an apprentice.
It was a fantastic opportunity to look back at how far the Academy has come since it was established in 2006, and recognise the many people who have helped make it what it is today.
From those just starting out in their engineering careers to experienced members of the team who have progressed through the business over the years, the evening was all about celebrating the people behind the Academy.
We’re proud to have played a small part in marking such an important occasion, and it was great to see our machining work become part of a keepsake that will commemorate 20 years of developing engineering talent at WEC Group.