Name:
Tom Fletcher
Apprenticeship:
Mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering apprenticeship, which after five years are all now complete.
Claim to fame:
I was on television, appearing on the news a long time ago!
What made you choose to do an apprenticeship?
The main reason I decided to leave my job as a machinist making Crankshafts for ships and started an apprenticeship was because I wanted to and needed to provide for my family. At 22 I was married and at 21 I had my first child. I wanted to have a career and as soon as I started my apprenticeship I realised education was fundamental and crucial for this to happen.
Education has opened up so many doors for me and I now have these qualifications:
Mechanical Engineering Level 2
Mechanical Engineering NVQ Level 3
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Level 3
Electrical and Electronic Engineering NVQ Level 3
Electrical and Electronic Engineering HNC (to complete 2018/19)
Hydraulics Stage 1
CETOP Hydraulics level 1
PLC programming course
What was the best thing about your apprenticeship?
I am now looking to go to open university to further my Engineering studies. Even though I wanted to be an astronaut as a child I am happy that my future is still taking off thanks to my apprenticeship!
What three things would you want with you on a desert island?
- Boat
- Family
- Food
What would your advice be to young people thinking about doing an engineering apprenticeship?
I think it’s okay to not be great at school, many people find their talents later on in life. There’s lots of apprenticeships out there, so I would definitely advise school kids to Google them and find them!