Apprentices and trainees celebrated for National Apprenticeship Week

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2021, Prior Power Solutions has been profiling its apprentices and trainees.

Bailey is an apprentice mechanic/engineer studying Mechatronics at East Coast College.

Starting his official apprenticeship with the company last November, Bailey commenced his journey by learning about the cryogenic systems on Prior Power Solutions’ bespoke nitrogen units working with one of the cryogenic technicians. He will be continuing his learning through all the disciplines in the busy well service department.

“My apprenticeship will put me in a very good position for the future” says Bailey.

Also in the well service department is Ethan, a Level 3 apprentice fabricator/welder, also studying at East Suffolk College.

Ethan started his official apprenticeship with the company last November, having served as a workshop assistant.

Ethan says: “I like the broad scope of work that Prior Power Solutions can offer me, and I am enjoying learning how to develop my skills.”

In our Service Department, Jai is a trainee service engineer and will be starting his Marine Engineer Apprenticeship Stephenson College later this year as part of the Volvo Penta Apprenticeship Programme which was unfortunately delayed last year due to Covid.

Despite all the disruptions, Jai has progressed extremely well since starting with Prior Power Solutions in January 2020, carrying out engine servicing, repairs and overhauls for the many manufacturers we cover.

“In the short time Jai has been with us he has proved his trustworthiness and drive and aspirations to go far in his career” say Daniel Platten, Service Manager.

It has also been a week to recognise the progression of one of our apprentices through the company.

Mark joined us 15 years ago and served a multiskilled 4-year advanced apprenticeship as a mechanical fitter with the service, ship repair and well service departments at Prior Power Solutions.

This involved two years at Great Yarmouth College followed by a further two years at Norwich City College.

Mark continued his development at Prior Power Solutions working in Quality Control and Project Engineering.

With such an in-depth knowledge of well service engineering, Mark was promoted to Engineering Manager last year and continues to be an invaluable part of the team.

In encouraging young people to consider apprenticeships, Daniel Platten, Service Manager says, “Being an industrial engineer gave me huge opportunities and experiences. At Prior Power Solutions, during my time on the workshop floor as an engineer you never knew what the next day would hold. One day I would be carrying out a service on a grain loader in Great Yarmouth, the next day I was travelling to the south of France to diagnose and rectify engine running issues on a nitrogen converter in the middle of a petroleum refinery.

“With this experience and training it enabled me to enhance my career through the ranks and lead me to my current role.

“If you are looking for a career path which can lead you to exciting opportunities, give you a new challenge every day and a huge sense of job satisfaction at the end of every job, then I would highly recommend becoming an apprentice as an industrial engineer.

“Apprentices and trainees are vital to the future of the industry.”