Ellis Whitehouse – Case Study
Employer: M&P Engineering Ltd
Job Title: Apprentice Mechanical Fitter
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Engineering Fitter Standard
Why did you decide to follow the route of an Apprenticeship?
I’ve always been a hands-on person and learning how things work in person rather than being taught in a classroom is something I’ve always preferred. I did well in high school but I prefer to learn in a practical environment which is why an Apprenticeship was a clear decision for me. I chose engineering because I got a taste of it in high school and loved it. The vast amount of job prospects and the practical nature of engineering makes the job very enjoyable.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
Working at M&P Engineering is always interesting and there’s never a dull day. We work in the food sector so we make machines like onion peelers and fillers for Heinz. Building these machines can be very fun and sometimes stressful but something I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of. For me the biggest reward in engineering, is seeing a machine you’ve built from scratch run and operate how it’s supposed to, knowing you have the skills and knowledge to do something like that is very satisfying.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I think my favourite part of my job is the atmosphere, everyone gets along and we work well together as a team. In my workplace, there’s a big age range of 20-year-olds up to 70-year-olds this is something I enjoy about an Apprenticeship as you can gather knowledge and tricks you’d never learn in the classroom.
How did your STEGTA Training Officer and Employer support you throughout your Apprenticeship?
My Training Officer, Ian Coward has been amazing. We get along really well and he is a great help if I ever need anything. My employer, Pamala Nugent, has also been very supportive and has done a lot for me during my Apprenticeship. Both of these people have made the Apprenticeship really enjoyable.
How has your role developed since starting with your employer?
I would highly recommend a career in this industry! Everyone I’ve met has been so friendly and fun to work with and all the jobs I’ve been on have always been interesting. I would highly recommend an Apprenticeship as it’s a great way to start your career and introduce you to many different types of engineering, whilst having fun, gaining new skills and getting paid.
What are your plans for the future?
When I finish my Apprenticeship, I plan to stay with my company this is because It’s a great place to work and I want to be trained up and skilled enough to do on site work. Later on in life, I’d like to pursue a career in maintenance site work as this is something that’s interested me.
What do I do outside of work?
Outside of work I spend a lot of time making meals, I also go to the gym quite a lot and most weekends I go out with my friends.