National Apprenticeship Week: Meet James

This week (6-12 February) marks National Apprenticeship Week - and we love any excuse to shout about some of the great work done here by some equally great members of Team EY. Back in 2022, our parent company, The Go-Ahead Group was named one of the UK's top 20 apprenticeship employers, and as the leading apprenticeship providers in the transport and travel industry.

To find out how some of our apprentices are getting on, our Marketing Officer, Terry Vincent, spoke to some of our Engineering apprentices to find out how they were getting on.

Meet James, a second year Bodyshop apprentice working in our engineering department:

TERRY: Hiya James, thanks for coming to see me. Let's get into it: how are you finding your apprenticeship so far?

JAMES: It's going well, I think! I'm learning stuff. Everyone's really friendly; everyone helps you - it's a really decent place to work and learn. 

That's what we like to hear! What's your journey been like so far? How did you find yourself here?

Well, after school I went to Hull College for three years, and I did a Mechanics course. I nearly got a different apprenticeship back in March 2020, but about a week after lockdown happened (laughs). So, that went out the window! 

Oh no!

Yeah, then it must of been about 2021, summertime, and I saw this apprenticeship come up online, and I thought to myself 'I wouldn't mind doing that'. Back when I was at college, I did an extra course where I did bodywork and I enjoyed it - so I thought I'd give it a try branching out to that. I applied, and got it, and now I'm here!

And we're glad! How are you finding it here in comparison to college, then?

I mean, as soon as we started, there were loads of people willing to help. And, I suppose, it's a good way of, you know, learning on the job; learning different skills - stuff you wouldn't necessarily learn in college. It's more hands on, I think.

Are you more of a 'learn-by-doing' person then?

Oh, yeah, definitely!

Great, I suppose it's not bad that you're getting paid too (laughs).

No, not at all (laughs).

So, have you learnt anything during your apprenticeship so far that you think is really going to valuable to your career?

There's loads of things, really. Sometimes your mentors will tell you to do something, or tell you how to do something, and you'll think to yourself 'I never thought of doing it that way', or 'I didn't know that that's how that works' - there's all sorts of things. I mean, making panels? When I started, I wondered how did you make that panel out of a single sheet of metal. Obviously, they've shown me how now. 

Yeah, I have to admit, I wouldn't know where to start! So, you've mentioned mentors, is there anyone that's been particularly great, or had a particular impact in your journey here at EY so far?

It's a great team. I mean, when I started, I suppose it was Russ - he's in Bodyshop as well. I got put with him and he was like my mentor, and I've learnt loads from him. Now that we're all in our second year though, it's got to the point where we're all trusted to do our own thing and get on with the job. 

Nice, well, thank you Russ! So, what's the difference been so far between your first and second year?

I mean, the first year was really more of an introduction to everything - all the different types of jobs and work we would do. The second year, you're developing your skills more independently. When I first started, obviously I didn't know much, so I was going around with different mentors, standing around and watching them do what they do. Now, we've all developed and we can do a lot of it on our own. Obviously, we're not 100% yet, but we're getting there!

I bet it's a big confidence boost to know that you're trusted to get the job done. I imagine people are still around if you need help though?

Oh, yeah. Because it is an apprenticeship, and we've got a bunch of great lads down there, you can ask anyone for help and they'll tell you how to get out of any mistakes you make. It's great because we get to learn from our mistakes, and also how to get out of them afterwards (laughs).

So, how does the schedule work with Bristol (S&B Automotive Academy)?

Usually, we go down around every six or seven weeks. We're actually going down there soon. The three of us that go down together are the only three that work on buses - the rest work on cars, so initially we felt a little bit like outsiders. They've helped us quite a bit, though. And, yeah, it a really decent place down there.

Smashing, well, I'm glad you're enjoying it! To wrap up then, what advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship? Would you recommend it?

Oh, yes - definitely! Yeah, I mean, if you're looking at getting into an industry, I think apprenticeships are the best way to go - especially if you're hands-on. You'll learn new skills, and there's always someone around to help you. Plus, you get paid! (laughs).

Brilliant - thanks James!

 

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