February 6, 2023 Lifting the cover on apprenticeship success
Apprenticeships have been a successful route into a career or trade for nearly 500 years and there are now more than 600 different apprenticeship training courses available in the UK.
With the 16th annual National Apprenticeship Week taking place this week, here, three of our apprentices explain their experience of the apprenticeship process.
Making a difference
Apprenticeships are highly valued at FSP and many of its employees joined the company on an apprenticeship training programme including three out of four members of the senior management team.
As well as offering apprenticeships which teach welding and fabricating skills that are at the heart of FSP’s manufacturing business, our organisation also looks to the training model to fulfil support roles such as business administration.
Blake Allen and Jack O’Neil are about to complete their apprenticeships and join the company as fully qualified Welder/Fabricators.
Blake said: “I applied to join Fabweld as an apprentice to expand my skill set in welding and to start my career off. It’s a good company to work for and they make you feel like part of the team. In the future, I plan to take the welding skills I’ve learned and use them in a role in the aerospace industry.”
Blake interview: https://vimeo.com/795208842/79599428d4
Jack added: “I applied for an apprenticeship here as I wanted to follow in my Dad’s footsteps as he’s been a welder since he was 16. Working here is great as you are able to learn a variety of jobs. That’s the best way to be as you can’t put yourself in one bubble. If you want to do an apprenticeship at Fabweld, I think you need to be willing to work and to put yourself out there.”
Jack interview: https://vimeo.com/795208869/69796b5cc3
Ryleigh Tabbott joined Fabweld in August last year on a Business Admin apprenticeship NVQ Level 3. Ryleigh is doing really well and has a lot of scope for development and career progression with FSP which she’s keen to make the most of.
Ryleigh said: “I had a job before I joined Fabweld, but I wanted to start working on a career and moving forward. Learning while still earning money was the best way for me to do that. My goal is definitely to move up in the company like a lot of people have here. I’d say to anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship to go for it. I wish I’d done it sooner.”
Ryleigh interview: https://vimeo.com/795208911/14002fd911
Endless opportunities
Wayne Carter, FSP Managing Director, who himself completed a Fabricator-Welder apprenticeship at FSP at the start of his career added: “Apprenticeships have been a key part of our recruitment and staff retention strategy over the years.
“Some of apprentices that we’ve welcomed to the team have stayed with us and developed their roles even further by studying towards additional industry qualifications, while three have achieved first class degrees while working with us.
“Developing and embedding this high level of skill and expertise in the business means that we can better serve our customer and proves that the conventional route to further education does not always suit everyone.”
Wayne interview: https://vimeo.com/795208948/288914b60b