TRT Ltd - National Apprenticeship Week 2023

This week is National Apprenticeship Week 2023 and we've caught up with some of our fantastic team for an insight into their apprenticeship journey. First up is Whill Steeples, who is currently enrolled on the Level 4 HNC Manufacturing Engineering apprenticeship.

Tell us a little bit about the apprenticeship you are on at the moment and your role here at TRT.

I am currently working within the engineering team, working predominantly with the machining processes, to aid production and introduce new products. My apprenticeship consists of 4 days a week on site and 1 day at college working towards a level 4 HNC in Manufacturing Engineering. Evidence of my progress and function within the business is also provided as part of the apprenticeship and makes up the NVQ part of the apprenticeship.

What made you apply for an apprenticeship?

I always knew I wanted to gain qualifications in engineering, however, did not want to take the traditional university path, so I chose to apply for this particular apprenticeship because of the links the business has to advanced manufacturing industry, which peaked my interest. I like the hands-on approach apprenticeships provide, as I benefit from logical real world applications in which vocational knowledge can be applied. 

What do you enjoy the most about your apprenticeship?

I enjoy the responsibility I have within the engineering department and being able to function as part of a team at such an early time in my engineering career, is something I enjoy. I believe there is much more value in terms of professional development than could be achieved with alternative study.  

What advice would you give to someone out there who is considering the apprenticeship route?

I believe an apprenticeship is a valuable tool, which given the opportunity, should be taken advantage of. However, there is a large commitment necessary, as apprenticeships often require managing a professional and educational workload which does, however, allow useful tools to be developed along the way.  

What do you see yourself doing next?

I would like to continue with my education, progressing continuously throughout my career, the apprenticeship has allowed me to identify elements of the business I enjoy working in and skills I can utilize. Therefore, I plan to diversify into tooling and fixture design and development.  

When you aren’t working and studying, what do you enjoy getting up to?

I spend most of my free time working on several projects, the most current project being a 1962 Land Rover which is slowly being nursed back to heath.

We also asked our Technical & Quality Manager, Grant Birkin, if he would encourage other businesses to take on an apprentice, and why?

Absolutely yes! Apprentices receive the best of both worlds by doing mainly on the job training but also formal education to provide theoretical knowledge. For many apprentices, it is usually their first job on their formal career path so I find that they do not have a fixed mindset of how to do things. They can often see different ways to achieve tasks that end up being more efficient or effective whilst still being able to listen to the experience and guidance of others around them. They also bring with them an enthusiasm as generally they are doing things that they have not done before.

Having a steady stream of apprentices being trained in the business can also help to ensure that experience is retained when others move on and helps to create a good balance in the team in the long run. It is also great to see apprentices develop into experienced staff roles as they progress through their career, building on what they have learned and progressing the business forward even more still.