How BC & T ’ s apprentices are thriving in the workplace
GROWTH
Talent – BC & T takes on trainees from various backgrounds , including apprentices and graduates . Pictured ( from left-right ): Ethan Millward , Will Robins , Jack Ovington and Alex McAllister .
GROWING THEIR OWN
How BC & T ’ s apprentices are thriving in the workplace
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURES : CHRIS BOOTH
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Tees firm says the success of its apprenticeship programme is helping engineer a positive future for the business .
BC & T Consultants is a multidisciplinary design and engineering consultancy , providing engineering and design to the petrochemical industry .
Its office is built on the old Head Wrightson site on Teesside – a firm that , appropriately , was renowned for providing employment , apprenticeship and training opportunities , employing 6,000 people on Teesside and operating its own training academy .
BC & T ’ s apprenticeship programme was set up to support future long-term growth for the business , with every apprentice planned to become integral to the overall operation .
And thanks to tie-ins with Middlesbrough College and Teesside University involving T level placements and six-year graduate apprenticeships , it ’ s working brilliantly .
General manager Joe Melville said : “ The concept of ‘ growing our own ’ is based on young , aspiring engineers joining the business and being trained and mentored by experienced engineers within the organisation .
Future – Alex McAllister , Will Robins , Jack Ovington and Ethan Millward .
100 | Tees Business
“ The benefits of the apprentices have been recognised within the business through their ability to support projects and deliver real work . Having youth within the business brings a positive dynamic and provides mentoring opportunities for our employees .
“ The apprentices have settled well into BC & T and we are excited to support their journeys and development with the organisation .”
Four of BC & T ’ s young new talent told Tees Business about their experience so far :
Ethan Millward , 19 , from Redcar – civil engineer In his second year at BC & T , Ethan spends one day a week at Teesside University learning theoretical aspects of the job and the rest at BC & T , where he ’ s a junior civil designer , working alongside experienced civil and structural designers and engineers . He said : “ It ’ s been good – I don ’ t think there ’ s one person who won ’ t help you out . The work ’ s hard but I ’ m still learning and by the end of my six years , I ’ ll be a part of the team as a full senior engineer .”
Jack Ovington , 19 , from Saltburn – electrical engineer Also on the degree apprenticeship route , with one day a week at Teesside University , Jack had already done his T level work placement requirement elsewhere . He started at BC & T voluntarily before he switched to a degree apprenticeship contract in September . He said : “ The alternative would be to go to uni full-time and get a job afterwards . But this way you get the work experience , you get paid and you get the degree .”
Will Robbins , 19 , from Ingleby Barwick – junior designer Will initially tried A levels but when they weren ’ t for him , he “ jumped on ” a T level course at Middlesbrough College , doing mechanical design and development . His junior designer role at BC & T sees him shadow more experienced engineers – and he says it ’ s proved the perfect way to get into the industry . He said : “ I ’ m glad I did it this way rather than university – one mate , who ’ s doing mechanical engineering in Sheffield , said , ‘ You ’ ve done it a smarter way than I have !’”
Alex McAllister , 21 , from Nunthorpe – mechanical engineer A Newcastle University graduate , Alex only joined BC & T in July . He said : “ It ’ s been really good – you learn a lot of theoretical stuff at uni , so it ’ s a nice change to see how you actually do engineering . I have both responsibility and freedom to do my own work . It ’ s a really good dynamic and great to be so close to other disciplines – if you have a problem or a concern , you can go and talk to them and they ’ re happy to help .”
Joe Melville adds : “ As a business , we will continue to employ apprentices on a cyclical basis , and while it may take a number of years before we see our first apprentices achieve engineer-level competence , we know in the long run we are growing our business future right now .
“ It ’ s very important from a socioeconomic perspective to support apprentices and local people . As a business , we feel proud to offer such opportunities .”
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