Scott Dell did his apprenticeship in the Cavendish Technical Services between 2015 and 2018, followed by a Level 4 Higher National Certificate from 2018 to 2020. After getting a promotion this year, he is now Senior Mechanical Technician.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
I choose to complete an apprenticeship because I never had the patience to partake in traditional learning, this being sixth form/university. I can say this as I had done two years of college before starting my apprenticeship which is what lead me down this route. Not only this but I really enjoy being on the job doing practical learning, so this decision was a no brainer for me.
Also, the fact I got paid to learn a new lifetime skill was amazing. This also meant I haven’t ended up with any student debt and I could quit my parttime job I was doing alongside college, in turn giving me more free time to do what I wanted to do!
Even though doing an apprenticeship still meant going to college, it was only one day a week during term time. I found this way a lot easier, as I am not much of a “classroom leaner” and because the subjects I was learning linked back in with my day-to-day job. Something must have clicked there for me as after my apprenticeship I still wanted to carry on with studies and completed a LVL 4 HNC in Mechanical Engineering, equivalent to first year of university, to a distinction with the college. Looking back 5 years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed I would have completed anything like this.
What have you learnt during your apprenticeship?
I have learnt a lot during my apprenticeship, from CNC milling to better communication. Please see a small list below of all the skills I have picked up along my apprenticeship journey:
- Manual milling
- Manual Turning
- CNC Milling
- CNC Turning
- CAD and CAM software packages
- Design Engineering
- Use of hand tools
- People skills – Learnt how to communicate better
- Further maths and engineering theory (within college)
How have you juggled your learning and work effectively?
I never found it hard to juggle my work and learning as they both linked into one. Although, some college subjects didn’t directly link into work I could use the skills and theory taught to help me in my day to day working life. For example all the maths I was taught has helped a lot with calculations relating to certain jobs in the workshop.
What are your main duties?
My main duties within work, are design and/or machine parts for students to use on their experiments. This would mean using a computer aided design (CAD) or computer aided manufacture (CAM) software packages to design up a part so it can be machined within our workshop. Sometimes this could mean the student has given me a drawing of a detailed part and then I have to manufacture it or could mean a student will bring me an idea and I have to bring it to life!
What are the top three benefits you have experienced, thanks to an apprenticeship?
My top three benefits I have experienced through my apprenticeship are:
- Learning a new life skill: This is by far the most beneficial part of my apprenticeship, as the trade I have learnt will be with me for life and in turn keep me in work for as long as I want to keep it up.
- Mental simulation: I’m the type of person who doesn’t like to sit around doing nothing or completing the same task over and over. So, this job keeps me mentally active as each day is something different. It has a good mix of hands on-works and using the latest technology to get the job completed to high standard, which is perfect for me!
- Being able to earn from a younger age: I loved the fact that I could earn a wage while I was learning a trade, which lead to me getting a permanent job within the university. This has done me wonders as I have recently been able to move out of my parents’ house and live with my partner.
What would you say to anyone considering applying for an apprenticeship?
I would ask yourself what interests you and find an apprenticeship that would suit those interests. For me I enjoyed engineering and creating new things, so I kept applying for apprenticeships with engineering in mind. It took me a little while to find something that I would enjoy doing, so while I was looking, I was at college completing an engineering course.
If you’re like me, someone who doesn’t get on with traditional learning or someone who would like to be paid while carrying out studies and have a job at the end of your training, an apprenticeship would be perfect. Not only does it break you into the working world you also learn a new skill that will last a lifetime!
What next?
I plan to keep pushing myself and learning new skills within the trade. Over the last two years (after I have completed my apprenticeship) I was given the opportunity to go on various training courses for our new Mazak CNC machines, I loved the experience and can’t wait to face more challenges ahead.