Apprentice profiles

Kris – Instrumentation Technician

I did my basic instrument training for 12 months at TTE and joined NWL Bran Sands in the second year of my apprenticeship. On completion of my four year apprenticeship I had gained my ONC and HNC qualifications in Instrumentation and Control Engineering. Since finishing my apprenticeship the company have sponsored me to study for a B.Eng honours degree in Instrumentation and Control Engineering at the University of Teesside. I carry out my studies on a day release basis and will graduate this year July 2008.

Learning to be an Instrumentation Technician on the Bran Sands site has lived up to my expectations.  It is a complex site with interesting technical processes, so on a day to day basis, I am involved in installing, maintaining and calibrating instruments which monitor, control and transmit data across the site.  I work with instruments that measure and control temperature, pressure, level, flow, density and ph etc for gas, liquids, solids, electricity, and radioactive sources. I have had to develop a good understanding of the processes that are present on site and understand how everything links together so that I can diagnose operational problems or why a measurement and control system is not working correctly.

Bran Sands is particularly interesting at the moment because a new £32million Advanced Digestion plant is being constructed. This is a major project which will enable us to generate power from the sludge and significantly reduce our use of electricity, reducing our impact on the environment and our operating costs at the same time.  I am looking forward to my own personal involvement with the new processes as we get nearer to it being commissioned.

I recently applied for an engineering position at Bran Sands and was successful – therefore I will be promoted very soon. The qualifications I have gained through my apprenticeship and my degree studies were key in my application for this role. This position will involve taking on more responsibility and developing more skills.  I also hope to get involved in developing a new instrument apprentice to learn to do my current job.

Graham - current apprentice

When I was at school I enjoyed systems and control in technology, which involved a couple of basic electrical systems. I wanted a job where I could develop my skills in this area. I thought an electrical apprenticeship was the best option.

Northumbrian Water offer a great opportunity to develop a range of skills in various environments and see how different systems function unlike a factory where you are in the same atmosphere all day.

I gained an ONC at Darlington college, in electrical/electronic engineering, and I am currently studying for a HNC and an NVQ level 3 at work.

I am hoping to gain as much experience as possible as an electrician. Once I feel I am completely competent I would like to undertake a degree and become an electrical engineer.

 Iain - ex apprentice and now maintenance technician

Having completed my GCSE's and started my A-levels I realised that full time education was not for me as it was too much like school. I had already considered doing an apprenticeship as being able to combine hands on experience and academic studies appealed to me, as well as the financial benefits of earning a good wage with excellent career development opportunities.  

The variety of work was was one best aspects of my apprenticeship. Due to the large area covered, range of processess and equipment maintained by the Maintenance department, the tasks undertaken can differ greatly and even now you are still learning and gaining more experience.   

As my apprenticeship was multiskilled I completed my ONC and HNC in Mechatronics (electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering). Addition qualifactions relating to my role were also achieved including Advanced PLC's and Electrical Regulations.  

As a qualified Maintenance Technician I would like to progress my academic studies to degree level and aspire to become an engineer or progress towards a management level position.

Since completeing my apprenticeship I have undertaken team leader roles within my department by carrying out team leaders duties when they are absent. I have also completed a Foundation Degree in Engineering.   

 John - ex apprentice and now project acceptance engineer

The NWL apprenticeship offers training across a broad spectrum of work within mechanical and electrical maintenance.  I enjoyed being able to work throuought the Northumbrian Water area rather than a 'fixed' factory environment.  The experience I gained throughout my apprenticeship has carried on into my current role as a project acceptance engineer in investment delivery.                 

I  completed my apprenticeship with an advanced craftsman certificate and went on to do an HNC in Electrical engineering and a HND in Mechanical engineering.  I now work in investment delivery as a project acceptance engineer.  My current work includes the Pumping Station Refurbishment Programme, a £9 million investment programme replacing and refurbishing Northumbrian's assets.