Apprentice Engineer

What made you decide to do an apprenticeship?
When I left school I really wanted to do something practical, my grandad used to do technical drawing and I was always helping him build things in the garage. When I finished school I started a course at college, but decided the classroom wasn’t for me. I started looking around for apprenticeships and saw the opportunity to gain an NVQ whilst working at HomeServe on https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch, and applied straight away!

You also spend some of your time at college, what’s that like?
I spend two days a week at Walsall College and HomeServe put me up in a hotel when I’m there. The college work isn’t too boring as it’s mainly practical. It’ll be worth it as I’m nearly at the end of my course, I’ll qualify with an NVQ L2 and I’m looking forward to getting the keys to my own van!

How much time do you spend doing hands-on engineering?
It’s great that I get to learn first-hand from Engineers, I got buddied with a Plumbing Engineer who I’ve spent the whole year with and he’s been fantastic, as well as great banter! Even in my first week I remember completing my first copper pipe repair, now I’m able to get on with jobs by myself and there’s always someone there if I need them.

Which type of jobs do you enjoy the most?
I really enjoy low water pressure jobs, sometimes it’s an easy job for us, but it’s really rewarding to see how happy Customers are when they get their water back! The apprenticeship with HomeServe has made me realise just how much I enjoy Plumbing, it’s definitely the career for me.

What are you looking forward to the most about qualifying as a HomeServe Engineer?
When I qualify, my pay increases to £19,773 and will then go up incrementally. I get the keys to my own van, which I’m really looking forward to; it’s like having your own portable office! I’m also excited to go out on my own, I feel really confident but I know that my support is just a phone call away if I need it.