engineering apprenticeships with cHRis HODGsON
THe DaVY ROll cOMpaNY lTD.
“apprenticeships offer an excellen t way to gain both practical experience and academic qualifications whilst bein g paid a wage and i would recommend them to anyone”.
I left school in 2006 and was a little unsure of what my future would hold. I had thought about going to college or getting a job. I remembered seeing some information on engineering apprenticeships at a careers event and thought this could be a good way of combining the two. After some research I found one of my local apprenticeship providers was Rolls-Royce North East Training Centre in Newcastle. I completed the application form and within a few days of submitting it I was invited for aptitude tests. Having passed the tests I was then given an interview and then accepted onto the program. My training started in September ‘06 along with around 100 other apprentices. As we were all new to the training centre it was very easy to make friends, I would look forward to getting into work each morning so I could catch up with my new mates as well as learning new skills. Once my initial health and safety training had been completed I moved through a range of sections where I was taught how to use a variety of machines as well as CAD software. This gave me a good insight into the world of engineering and helped me to decide what area I would most like to go into. I was put forward for several interviews with some major north east companies one of which was The Davy Roll Company Limited, Gateshead, where I now work. I will spend the remainder of my apprenticeship here where I will qualify as a multi-skilled machinist and continue my education up to degree level on a day release basis. The Davy Roll Company even pays my college fees for me. I have no doubt that without enrolling on the Rolls-Royce apprenticeship scheme I would not have had such great opportunities.
that I mely glad ticeship I am extre an appren n o p u d e decid iversity oing to un g n a th r e hands rath e a more “ m rs e ff o as it ing ch to learn on” approa more “usable” me and gives ons. qualificati
liaM alleN
FRaseR HYDRaUlic pOWeR lTD.
Initially I had planned to go to university after I finished my education at school; however I liked the concept of learning while I worked and decided that an apprenticeship was the best way forward for me. At this point I began enquiring into apprenticeship providers and found Rolls Royce North East Training Centre, which I applied for. I was invited for aptitude tests and an interview which weren’t as daunting as they sounded, and was offered a place on the course to start in September. Before that time came, Rolls-Royce put me forward for a position at Fraser Hydraulic Power Ltd. Following an interview and a tour I was very pleased to be offered the job there. The first day of my apprenticeship arrived and I started my initial training at the Rolls-Royce North East Training Centre. Over the next 12 months or so I covered a number of modules that would benefit my development including Basic Electrical Principles, Electrical Enclosures and Maintenance Techniques. It was very clear from the start that this was the perfect opportunity to gain access to the engineering environment. Having finished my time at the Training Centre I now work full-time at FHP. The job is brilliant, there is always interesting projects to get involved with and I have been given opportunities to work on site and abroad. On my last trip, I travelled to Abu Dhabi in the UAE to help install and commission Linear Cable Engines. It was one of the best experiences I have had and opened my eyes to living and working abroad.
Looking back, I am extremely glad that I decided upon an apprenticeship rather than going to university as it offers me a more “hands on” approach to learning and gives me more “usable” qualifications. I am now in a position where I am about to begin a Foundation Degree and working in a successful company that is helping to nurture and train me. My advice to anyone interested in a future in engineering would be to do as I did and apply for an apprenticeship with Rolls Royce North East Training Centre. It is an opportunity too good to miss.
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