1 Year On by our 2023 Apprentice Cohort

Written by Oliver Muscat on September 6th 2024

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Next week we welcome the Exyte Hargreaves Apprentice ‘Class of 2024’ to our company. It’s incredibly exciting to be introducing another talented group of young professionals to our business. The occasion coincides with the 1-year anniversary of our 2023 apprentice cohort beginning their journey. We asked them to put the last 12 months into their own words.

Beth Richards - Business Development Apprentice

Since joining Hargreaves in September 2023, I have felt valued by the company and the positive work environment means I look forward to coming to work and find it incredibly rewarding. I have had the opportunity to visit some of our live projects such as the Co-op Live arena and HS2 South Ruislip. This has allowed me to meet various people within the company and create a rapport with some of the project teams, as well as provided me with valuable insights into the scale of our work.

I have achieved a great deal during my time as the bid & proposal apprentice such as contributing to our Sizewell C bid, my nomination for apprentice of the year at the H&V News Awards 2024 and also my contribution to our recent HS2 win for West Ruislip. I’m fortunate to be part of a department that is both supportive and highly skilled in business development and I have benefitted greatly from their expertise. Although it is challenging working to deadlines, I enjoy the excitement of bidding and working under pressure, especially when we win!

Oliver Muscat - Marketing Apprentice

My first 12 months with Exyte Hargreaves has been a ‘no 2 days are the same’. With it being just me and John (Head of Marketing & Communications) in the Marketing department, I’ve had the opportunity to learn new skills and techniques across the full Marketing mix. In my time with Hargreaves I’ve also had the chance to visit some of the major projects we are working on such as Hinkley Point C & HS2. Helping further my knowledge of what we do first hand when copywriting.

A large project of mine throughout this year is the promoting the 2023 Apprentice Cohort. For example running a celebration internally for all apprentices and support within National Apprentice Week. It was great to see the positive outcome of this project from the 236 applicants for this years Apprentice Cohort. I’ve also been able to develop a new marketing channel and series on YouTube for Hargreaves. Recently I’ve been nominated for Marketing Apprentice of the Year in the STEM Marketing awards which I’m really proud of.

Manufacturing Apprentice

Throughout my time here at Hargreaves, I have enjoyed each challenge along the way and the jobs I have taken part in individually or as a part of a team. More recently, I've been marking out and setting a full piece by myself including setting flanges, cutting and fitting an access door. Throughout my short time here I have progressed a lot with the work I have been tasked with and appreciate the help I've had from colleagues.

Donald Whitehead

Fabrication & Welding Apprentice

Niall Birkitt - Manufacturing Apprentice

I remember first joining and being fairly overwhelmed with the amount of different processes, machinery and different items etc. But I quickly settled in and the year I’ve been here I went from never using a hammer before, to now being able to fabricate and weld to a high standard. Both the department and the company have really looked after me and helped me in a way I needed. I remember completing my first weld which was a very rewarding experience. I still have plenty to learn and I’m looking forward to the years to come at Exyte Hargreaves.

Taylor Keenan-Garrod - Manufacturing Apprentice

The past year of my apprenticeship at Hargreaves has been great and flown by, it’s taken me by surprise how quickly it has gone and how much I have been able to learn from the lads here in both the welding and fabrication side of the business. Getting my reach truck (forklift) licence and my first weld coding would be the biggest achievements for me since starting so I’m grateful for being given that opportunity so early on.

Digital Innovation Apprentice

"I was so excited on the first day that I arrived an hour early! I was grateful recently to win our company HARTS Award (employee of the month). It shows me that I am doing the right thing and giving good support! I like working within my department as they are very supportive and have great humour. I have more confidence around the business and I believe I have a lot of knowledge within the software we use. It's a great company, I just want to continue learning!"

Wesley Kennedy

Digital Engineering Technician Apprentice

Zain Shahzad - Digital Innovation Apprentice

Some great memories I’ve had so far are learning new technologies and mastering certain software as well as travelling to Bedford for 2 nights for exams as it was a new experience when going through my studies. I was initially nervous when first joining as it was a new environment I hadn’t experienced prior, however I quickly adapted to the working environment and enjoy working with the people in my department. Innovation and creativity were key milestones that were required in our department and grasping this mindset has helped me in both work and out of work life. Overall, I think I have learnt a lot about being a full time employee which has improved my time management and professional attitude setting me up in a great way later on in life.

Oliver Hurley - IT Apprentice

The first memories I had with Exyte Hargreaves was learning the building layout as when people had IT issues and I’d visit them to fix the problems I’d get lost in the process. With that I’ve enjoyed communicating to the wider business from meeting people individually and building up a relationship with my colleagues. Another memory is working closely with Izzy (previous IT Technician) and shadowing her to gradually learn my IT skills outside of college and in Hargreaves.

Some of my achievements are improving my IT skills greatly in general, solving staff tickets and having a sense of accomplishment from this and improving my problem solving. Others include acquiring IT Essentials, working on CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and other Cisco courses. Challenges I’ve faced are learning all the systems we use in their complexity and travelling to and from work before being to drive. Overall my opinion on Hargreaves is that it’s a great place to learn and grow. Always feeling welcomed by our staff, especially those in my department.

Are you interested in an Apprenticeship?

We will soon be starting the search for our 2025 apprentices. Keep in touch with our apprentice news on the Exyte Hargreaves website.

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