Member Article

The ECITB apprenticeship experience

Karl Boult was first introduced to the idea of a future in engineering whilst at school. At the age of 15, his school organised a two-year engineering course at NETA in Stockton-on-Tees, focusing on mechanical design. As part of the course, Karl worked on a project to build a clock.

He found the design aspects of the task especially interesting and really enjoyed learning about the mechanics of the clock and researching the materials needed for its construction. By the end of the project Karl knew he wanted a career in engineering and on leaving school signed up for an ECITB apprenticeship in Design and Draughting.

The ECITB Apprenticeship Experience

ECITB apprenticeships generally run for three years; with the first year being spent at a training provider and the second and third years working on-site at a work experience placement – which is organised by the ECITB.

Karl spent his first year at NETA, where he learnt the basic principals of design, including; how to identify and analyse design options, the types of drawings and specifications used in engineering, characteristics of materials and how to use the Computer Aided Design (CAD) systems.

Once Karl had learnt the fundamentals of design at NETA he moved onto his two-year work placement at Aker Solutions in Stockton-on-Tees. Here Karl was able to put the skills he’d learnt into practice. He was also able to spend time working in each of Aker’s key departments, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering – giving Karl first hand experience of each discipline and helping him chose which area he wanted to specialise in for the rest of his placement.

“I decided to follow mechanical design“, comments Karl. “Although it was interesting working in civil and electrical, I wanted to work with something tangible – you can’t see or touch electricity. I enjoy working with my hands and seeing the results of a project; mechanics suits me perfectly.“

For the past seven months, Aker has organised for Karl to work at Bran Sands Water Treatment Plant, with Northumbrian Water. On a day-to-day basis, he helps with drawings and assists the more experienced engineers checking valves and pipe support, which he is really enjoying. So, what does the future hold for Karl?

“One of the best things about my apprenticeship is that I know that as long as I work hard, my future’s bright. There’s a huge skills shortage in the engineering construction industry and once I’ve completed my apprenticeship I’m almost guaranteed a job for life – not many people can say that in this day and age.

“I want to get as many qualifications as I can. I’m planning to go to university after I’ve finished my apprenticeship and study Mechanical Engineering. In the long term I’d like to work abroad, but for now I’m really happy at Aker, I’m learning everyday, work in a great team – and the money’s not bad either!“

Watch the video of Karl Boult discussing his experiences here.

Small & medium enterprises apprenticeship incentives

In light of the need to train people now, and the lack of in-scope companies with the capacity to employ apprentices, the ECITB is supporting an initiative launched by the National Apprenticeship Service to encourage small & medium enterprises (SMEs) to take on apprentices in England.

The scheme, Apprenticeship Grants for Employers (AGE), has been backed by the Government and will offer grants of £1,500 to up to 40,000 SMEs prepared to take on their first apprentice.

For more information on this initiative please visit www.ecitb.org.uk/Programmes/Apprenticeships/ or telephone Don Atkinson, North East Regional Account Manager for ECITB on 07971438720.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Don Atkinson .