To mark National Apprenticeship Week, we’re celebrating employees undertaking apprenticeship courses and recognising the contribution they make to our business.
In this article, we chat to Kenny Hack, who joined Advanced more than four years ago. He moved into a new role as Trainee Quality Technician last summer and is currently completing an apprenticeship with TDR Training in Newcastle.
Can you tell us about your role and apprenticeship course?
Since starting my new role last July, I’ve been learning about the quality systems and documentation we have in place to ensure we meet certain quality standards – this is what customers expect from a company like Advanced. I’ve taken on specific responsibilities, such as logging metalwork scrap, while also receiving training from senior colleagues.
The apprenticeship course I am undertaking as part of my role is the Engineering and Manufacturing Support Technician Level 3. This technical qualification is essential for my career progression within the company.
How is Advanced supporting you with your apprenticeship?
If I need any help with my studies, I can rely on various members of senior staff as some of them have already completed the same qualification. I’m currently on track to achieve the highest grade possible, so hopefully I can keep that up!
What key skills have you developed?
My apprenticeship is helping me develop strong analytical and problem–solving skills. I’ve also learned how to correctly use a slip gauge, which I use in my day–to–day work to accurately determine gaps between metalwork surfaces and features.
What does a typical day look like?
I usually start my day by checking my emails to ensure there’s nothing urgent that the team or I need to address. Then I deal with production queries and maintaining our systems – this includes inputting information into our databases and printing check sheets to make sure nothing has been damaged or missed at the end of the production line. Every day is different.
What do you enjoy most about working at Advanced?
I enjoy collaborating and investigating issues with my colleagues to come up with a solution or make improvements to a process. The variety of work, combined with my studies, can sometimes be challenging but it’s always interesting!
What’s your long-term career goal?
In the future, I would like to become a fully qualified Quality Engineer.
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