An apprentice engineer role might be just what you, or someone you know, needs.

I’ve often wondered whether I would have been better off going straight into an apprenticeship after leaving school.  Instead I first went to Sixth Form College, then Art College, then my local University.  It was only after starting my first job I realised I had learnt more in three months of ‘real work’ than I had in six years of higher education.

Meanwhile, one of my friends became an apprentice engineer at a local Stockton-on-Tees business, worked his way up through the ranks, and took evening courses, a degree, and then a Masters in management.

He is now a Director of the company he joined from school.

What does this show?

It shows that no two people learn in the same way, or at the same time, and that there ‘is no right or wrong way to learn’.

It also shows there is absolutely no substitute for real-life-learning.

Apprentices do exactly that.  They study for qualifications ‘on the job’.  They gather the evidence they need to qualify as they work.  They record their progress toward qualifications through an online portal and meet regularly with their assessor to ensure they’re getting the support they need from their employer.

So, if you are searching for a possible way forward and you don’t want to go down the academic route; or if you have a son or daughter, or niece or nephew that needs some career guidance, you could do a lot worse than investigating an apprenticeship.

It works.  Apprentices gain qualifications.  They gain experience and they can carve out their own careers too.

Just look at friend.

Want to know more about apprenticeships?

Pickerings Lifts offer a wide range of qualifications to staff, from NVQs through to specialised courses from organisations including the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA), the Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) and the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM).

Lift engineering apprenticeship leaflet

Business and administration apprenticeship leaflet

You can find the latest apprenticeship opportunities on our careers page.

Alternatively, you can discuss apprenticeships with our HR team by calling 0800 085 3211 or by emailing contact@pickeringslifts.co.uk