Article summary: 2 PETA apprentices have been recognised for their outstanding work and are in for a chance of winning the national award.
Kairon Robb, who is a Level 3 Machinist apprentice, and Scott Burgess, who is on the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management, have both been shortlisted for the GTA (Group Training Associations) England Apprentice of the Year 2022 final, taking place in Coventry next month.
Kairon started his apprenticeship in 2019 and currently works for Lewmar Marine as an Apprentice Machinist. He was also the recipient of the Best in Engineering award at PETA’s 2022 Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Kairon said: “I solve problems on a day-to-day basis to produce work to the required specification. I’m involved in programming and setting CNC machines and designing and creating fixtures to make what I need to make.
“My experience as an apprentice has really given me a path. I didn’t know what I wanted to do before I started my apprenticeship, and it made me think that I can do this for the rest of my life and give it everything I have.”
Scott started his most recent apprenticeship in 2020 and has since been awarded Rising Star of the Year at PETA’s 2022 Apprentice of the Year Awards. He currently works as Operations Manager at Runfold Plastics Ltd, the same company where he started as an engineering apprentice in 2015.
Scott said: “I cover all day-to-day operations throughout a manufacturing company, looking after 45 employees from anything from HR to finance to production.
“My apprenticeships all the way through have changed my life because of the thought processes it puts in. Engineering helped me take a step back whether in work or in my personal life, and management has helped me take 3 steps back when I look at everything I do, it’s been inspiring.”
On reaching the final, Kairon said: “I feel great, I’m really looking forward to the awards ceremony and I’m happy to have made it this far.”
Scott said: “I feel excited and proud for my achievements being recognised not only by my company but also from people outside the organisation.”
Both Kairon and Scott said they are always looking ahead to their next challenge.
Kairon said: “Looking to the future, I’ve discussed with the company about doing a Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer degree apprenticeship, because I always want to keep the learning curve as steep as I can.”
Scott said: “My future plan is to head towards a directorship position in the organisation that I’ve been in for 17 years. I just want to continue building my skills, knowledge and behaviours, and keep progressing in my role.”
GTA is an organisation that gives specialist advice and guidance to its member base, which consists of a large network of training providers nationwide. GTA works with the government as a legitimate partner to improve and standardise quality training across the Group Training Associations network.
The event will be the Association’s 7th black tie event celebrating the successes of apprentices around the country.
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