Real-Life Career Pathways – From work experience, apprenticeships and Year in Industry placements
At many of our manufacturers the majority of apprentices stay on with their employer. Some may also continue with training and gain further qualifications. The foundations to a great career can start early, work experience is also a good place to start while if you are doing a degree, there’s some excellent opportunities to engage with an employer through Year in Industry placements.
We asked some of the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group to give us some examples of what their young apprentices, and interns go on to achieve.
At Babcock International, an A Level 3 Electrical apprentice who completed their apprenticeship in 2008 is now the Project Manager for a Type 23 frigate refit. Another apprentice who was a Level 3 Mechanical apprentice and completed their apprenticeship in 2012 is now the manager responsible for upgrade packages for ships such as HMS Bulwark. These are highly exciting and responsible roles that came from the completion of an apprenticeship within Babcock.
At Composite Integration in Saltash, Will, came to the business on a placement year from University, where with his interest in design, he excelled in all his work projects. On completion of his degree Will re-joined the company as a design engineer and three years on, he is now the Production Manager at Composite Integration!
In an similar way, Ben, came to the company on work experience from school – he impressed the team so much, he went on to be employed by the company as an electrical apprentice and is still there 2 years on!
Kawasaki Precision Machinery in situated at the edge of the River Tamar in Plymouth has a heritage of young apprentices going far.
There, the company has a number of Managers , Team Leaders, Engineers and Technicians who joined the business as apprentices at 16 or 18 have developed their skills into substantial technical and managerial professional roles.
Famously, Steve Cardew who is the former Managing Director of Kawasaki and its current non-Executive Director started his working life as an apprentice at the company.
Two employees, Matt and Mitch at Schneider Electric in Southway, both went through an apprenticeship program at the company and they are always keen to help new students learn from their experiences and are a great inspiration. Now the two are fully skilled Engineers within the maintenance team in Plymouth and are considering University studies to support future progression within the business.
Of course, an apprentice is supported throughout their training and well prepared to take on new roles with more responsibility.
Princess Yachts recruits a variety of apprentices each year – watch this video to hear about their experiences and the opportunities they feel are available to them in the future.