‘Completing a SIGTA apprenticeship genuinely changed my life for the better in ways I could only dream of at the time’.
Through a structured training program my apprenticeship provided a great variety of skills and knowledge in different areas of a business. Although most importantly I feel it helped me build on my ability and confidence to communicate and work well with others. I’m confident that having the qualification on my CV has aided me in securing some amazing opportunities around the globe. In my opinion these are some of the biggest positives I’ve found from completing an apprenticeship:
- Lifetime skill set to earn a stable income
- Proves commitment
- Character building
- Stand out from the crowd when job searching
- Internationally recognised
Working history
- Advanced Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering, Eastbourne
- Pump Engineer, Eastbourne
- Field Service Engineer, Thailand covering South East Asia
- Internal Sales, Cornwall
- External Sales, Cornwall covering the UK
- Internal Sales/Customer Service Engineer, Eastbourne providing global support
- European Regional Sales Manager, Eastbourne covering UK, Ireland, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
Here’s my story:
Through school I never really had a focus on what career I wanted to pursue, I knew I wanted something interesting and challenging. I signed up to an ‘Access to Engineering’ course which gave me an insight to various areas such as Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Electrical Installation and Design.
In all honesty I struggled studying full time and started looking for a job, a college tutor suggested I applied for the Apprenticeship vacancy at a local Engineering company producing Pumps for various industries. The main draw for me at the time was it was day release college, so the best of both practical and theory whilst also earning an income. My application was successful and started work not long after. I completed a 4-year structured SIGTA advanced apprenticeship which combined study with experience working in all areas of an Engineering business. This included but was not limited to CNC setting and operation, Engineering, Design, Maintenance, Pump fitting, Quality Control and working on 5S and 6 Sigma projects. Darryl from SIGTA supported me throughout my 4-year apprenticeship with monthly visits to my workplace and constant support and guidance.
After four years I was fully qualified, I decided then it was a good time to leave the job and travel the world. I travelled Asia and Australia extensively for 18 months. When I returned to England, I contacted my previous employer who knew I could utilise the skills I learnt during my apprenticeship, they took me back without hesitation. I worked another solid 4 years and then decided I would like to work abroad. I travelled back to Thailand and emailed my CV to a contact who I trained during his business trip to England. I was successfully employed as a Field Service Engineer with onshore and offshore responsibilities.
After 3 years I returned to England and felt like a change. I decided to make the transition into sales and have now worked various positions in sales and now currently working as a Regional Sales Manager for Viking Pump’s Hygienic Product Line, Wright Flow Technologies a Pump Manufacturer based in Eastbourne. I deal with various industries including pharmaceutical, food & beverage and personal care. There is genuinely never a dull day as each day offers new challenges and opportunities.
Ross