Qualifications – “Just go for it” says Michael
A love of cycling and cycle maintenance led Computer Numerical Control Machinist Michael, into his engineering career and qualifications. He joined us as an apprentice and hasn’t taken his foot off the pedal since.
After starting as an apprentice nearly five years ago, he completed his NVQ and is now being sponsored by Langstone Engineering to take his HNC. After that, he’s thinking ahead and plans to do an HND. He is keeping an open mind on the future and a possible move into management.
Go for it
His advice to anyone thinking about gaining engineering qualifications is “Just do it and keep on going so your learning stays fresh”. He says it and he does it.
“I’d say to anyone who might be hesitant about taking work related qualifications is just go for it. It’s really not that daunting once you do it, especially when you have an encouraging, supportive company and colleagues around you,” he said.
He’d already taken the first steps in his engineering career when he joined us as he’d studied for his Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering at local HSDC Havant and South Downs College. Every year, we take on new apprentices and he applied, with his sights set on learning more and developing his career.
New ownership brings renewed commitment to education
Michael enjoys the fast-paced environment. And when the business came under new ownership in May 2021, it brought a new commitment to supporting employees in further education. It’s a step he was pleased to take.
“I wanted to do more and keep my learning fresh because I think it’s harder if you have breaks in between as you have to relearn all the disciplines of study each time. I was really pleased when my manager put me forward for the HNC which I’m due to complete in 2024 and I’ve done other training as well like the Hypermill CAD, so I never feel like I’m standing still,” he explained.
Supporting our employees to develop skills
Faye Norris, Group HR Manager for Langstone Engineering and group company Tamworth-based Precision Technologies International said:
“Supporting all our employees to develop their skills through education and training is embedded in our philosophy, as is ensuring they have a professional and friendly work environment in which they can flourish. On a personal level for myself and many colleagues, it’s also really rewarding to see Michael and others developing their skills and growing in confidence as talented, highly skilled people and engineering leaders of the future,” she said.
Please send an email with the subject ‘Careers’ to fayen@ptiltd.co.uk – HR at our group company PTI and we’ll be in touch.
Read more about our recent event for our apprentices