Apprentice Diaries – Donald Whitehead

Written by Oliver Muscat on January 12th 2024

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Apprentice Diaries

Hello! My name is Donald Whitehead and I have joined Exyte Hargreaves as a Fabrication & Welding Apprentice. In my first couple month at Hargreaves I really cant complain as everyone has been very welcoming. I’ve enjoyed the work that I’m given as I love hands on work. I dislike just sitting doing work so it’s my ideal workplace. In the first month I was ushered into my role after I completed the health and safety checks.

Fabrication & Welding

Icon Awards

In my job role I’ve done a mix of stuff already! Firstly I helped create the Icon Award trophies for the recent Hargreaves Icon Awards that was awarded to 6 of our employees that have represented our 6 core values exceptionally well. A few other things I am learning is press plate folding, grinding, flanges and TIG welding. Also I am getting used to the tungsten through shadowing Tom Oglesby (Manufacturing Operative) and familiarising myself with the machines, people and factory. I will be improving these everyday to become a strong member of our manufacturing team. Right now I am practicing to receive my coding in welding meaning afterwards I will be tacking up our projects.

My Apprenticeship Experience so far!

I chose the Fabrication & Welding Apprentice because I had vague knowledge on welding and have a small amount of experience on it but not enough. When I was introduced to Exyte Hargreaves and learnt about the opportunities this place gives and equally the company structure and Manufacturing facility is second to none. My apprenticeship programme is a 3 year course and so far I am welding together a large toolbox at college as it is my project.

One of my main interests is football, I enjoy playing it with my mates and I support Manchester United. Also I love walking our dog which is a Bedlington cross called Archie with my Mrs. She has a horse called Ted so I help with cleaning the horse and the stables so when I'm walking the dog, she will ride her horse next to us. Another interest of mine is running and I am training for an upcoming marathon event.

Donald Whitehead

Fabrication & Welding Apprentice

Join the Exyte Hargreaves Team

Donald and our other apprentices are extremely talented. We’re looking for more talented people to join the team and are recruiting rapidly across all areas of the business. Would you like to join an expansive, progressive and successful business? View our latest vacancies on our Careers mini-site.

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