James Fitchett – Case Study
Employer: Budenberg Gauge Co Ltd
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering
James completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering with STEGTA in 2017. We recently caught up with him to see how his journey has progressed…
My journey with STEGTA started in 2013 when I began my Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering at Budenberg Gauge Co. Ltd, an instrumentation manufacturer specialising in Pressure Gauges, Valves & Calibration Equipment. 10 years on, I have successfully completed my Level 4 HNC and I am now managing the company’s apprenticeship initiative alongside my role as an engineer.
I’ve always had the desire to work in engineering since a young age which was driven by my love for all things mechanical and spending my spare time dismantling, repairing and rebuilding anything I could get my hands on, this naturally led me to the first opportunity to study Engineering which I took in high school where I completed a Level 2 Diploma. This set me up to complete my Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace Engineering at College before securing my Apprenticeship at Budenberg Gauge with the help of STEGTA.
After completing my Apprenticeship in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering, my role within the company has been able to continually grow and develop using the skills and knowledge gained during my Apprenticeship and provide the confidence to take on more challenging responsibilities. This has been thanks to the great engineers, technicians and mentors I have worked alongside over my 10 year career with Budenberg & STEGTA. All who are mentioned above have been vital in pushing my potential both as an Apprentice and an engineer and the company itself who has supported me with funding to take my education and training further following the completion of my Apprenticeship.
The experience I’ve had is the very foundation for my passion and belief in Apprenticeships. It is what motivates me to fulfil my role as an Apprentice mentor knowing how prolific and fruitful correct training and mentoring of Apprentices can be for a business, also respecting the vital role that Apprentices have played over Budenberg’s rich 170 year history, with some time served employees working for over 50 years at the company!
We currently have 4 apprentices within the Budenberg factory with plans for this to increase over the next year after the success of our current programs and demand for technical expertise to be passed on. The Apprentice’s roles cover all areas of our manufacturing facility where they receive training and hands on experience in CNC machining & programming, fabrication & welding, calibration, assembly and much more.
An engineering Apprenticeship is a fantastic starting point for anyone looking to start to a creative, stable & rewarding career as well as being the strongest and most effective way for a business to manage and safeguard its skill sets, knowledge and talent for the future.