LOUIS WARD , 17 :
RHYS WILSON , 19 : first year apprentice fabricator
I was doing fabrication and welding at Hartlepool College and now I ’ m doing a Level 2 City and Guilds in Welding . I started at Paralloy in July 2024 and my apprenticeship lasts four years .
As a fabricator , I basically put stuff together so welders can weld it . Some bits I ’ ve found difficult , but I ’ ve got better and more confident the more I ’ ve done .
And it ’ s a good team here – they show you what to do and tell you how to do it . And if you do something wrong , they don ’ t tell you off – they just show you again and encourage you until you can do it .
It ’ s good not to be sitting at a desk – it ’ s more ‘ hands-on ’, which I like . And if anyone ’ s thinking of a career in engineering , I ’ d say just go for it – try to do it and you ’ ll get something out of it . second year apprentice welder and Hartlepool College City and Guilds Level 3
Apprentice of the Year
When I got to 15 , I realised I didn ’ t want to sit in classrooms all the time . I had family who did this line of work and that got me into it .
I did a week ’ s work experience , then an interview . The work experience showed me different aspects – we did a bit of everything , then a weld test on the final day .
When I started , I was given test pieces to practice on . Then I got moved onto production . It was quite easy stuff at first , but then they push you forward until you can do everything , basically .
The work ’ s challenging but it ’ s rewarding as well . It ’ s hard to start with , but you get better – and you ’ re always active . And the lads welcome you straight away .
ROBYN METCALFE , 22 :
LEON WRIGHT , 20 : apprentice plater
I graduated in sociology in 2023 from the University of Derby . It ’ s a 42-month course and I ’ ll be going to Middlesbrough College for the next two years .
When I was at Derby , I also worked part-time as a labourer at M Green Fabrications because the uni course was only nine hours a week .
After university , Paralloy bought that firm and I was offered an apprenticeship to go full-time because I had three years ’ experience as a plater . I came here in July 2023 and I work at the Daimler Drive site .
It ’ s hands-on and each day is different , which I really like . You get given a drawing and you ’ re literally making things , which is very satisfying .
I ’ m in a small team but they were really welcoming . And I ’ d say to girls thinking of engineering , just give it a go – it might be what you ’ re best at . third-year apprentice welder
When we were waiting to go back to school after Covid , Year 9s did a day at college . We had to choose three subjects to try , so I picked welding and really enjoyed it .
I did Level 2 City and Guilds and when I started my Level 3 , the college came to me and another student to say Paralloy wanted two welders . We got interviewed and were taken on in November 2021 .
It ’ s really good , although when you first start , you haven ’ t a clue ! You practice until you get put on test pieces , then you work your way up until you ’ re on most things .
You ’ re doing the same jobs as the welder on the same level , and they respect you the same way as well .
You hear some of your friends at other companies getting paid peanuts and who don ’ t get much mentoring , but I ’ ve had plenty of help and support here .
For more information , visit paralloy . co . uk 43