Apprentice Jacob increases his expertise
Apprentice Jacob Harrison gains his BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering and his NVQ Level 3 in General Engineering
Successful AvantiGas apprentice Jacob Harrison has been basking in praise from all sides after gaining his BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering and his NVQ Level 3 in General Engineering – completing his apprenticeship just in time for the recent National Apprenticeship Week.
Jacob studied at Preston College while working full-time too: “It was meant to be a two-year NVQ but this was an intense course and I did it in one year. It was taxing at times but I was glad I’d done it, because I thought I’d achieved something.”
So what was his biggest challenge? “Probably time management, trying to achieve a work/life balance, particularly doing a full-time job for 40 or 42 hours a week and the college work as well. If you don’t manage it right, it can get on top of you.”
But Jacob clearly did manage it right, judging by the comments of Craig Massey, Engineering Assessor at Preston College: “He has consistently worked to the very highest standards… I would have no hesitation to recommend him to progress on to an HNC programme,“ said Craig.
While AvantiGas Line Manager Martin Price said: “I’ve congratulated Jacob and I’m very happy with how he has come on. You can see he’s got pride in what he’s doing and that he’s champing at the bit to get on with the job.”
For the moment that’s exactly what Jacob is doing, while enjoying a respite from studying on top: “I’ve had my first couple of gas tank installs to do on my own, and I’m doing 10 year-tests and general servicing and call-outs… I feel I’ve reached my potential with qualifications for the moment – but in the future if I want to go on, I can do. It’s always a possibility.”
The experience has made him all the more determined to carve out a long-term career with AvantiGas. “I hope to be here for as long as Bill Ellender – and he’s has been in the industry for 51 years!