ICOM celebrates apprenticeships for ‘National Apprenticeship Week’ #NAW2015 National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2015) - takes place from 9-13 March 2015, and is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy. Supporting the event, the Industrial and Commercial Energy Association, ICOM, will be showcasing a series of real life apprenticeship career profiles. The profiles demonstrate how an apprenticeship can provide; qualifications, career progression, excitement and crucially the experience and opportunity to work in a real life environment.
Meet Ross. Name: Ross Cowley Type of apprenticeship: Research and Development Apprenticeship Year started/completed: 2011-date Current position: Apprentice 1.
What encouraged you to do an apprenticeship in your chosen field?
I Wanted to learn practical skillsand earn whilst I was doing so. I also wanted to do something more practical based rather than academic
2.
Could you explain some of the skills you are learning?
Lathe, milling machine – screw cutting, working to close tolerances, n umerous materials (brass, steel, stainless steel, aluminium, silver steel, plastics) • Sheet metal fabrication – welding (TIG (steel, stainless steel, aluminium), MIG and spot welding), grinding, press brake, industrial guillotine work • Hardening and tempering • Bench fitting – general hand tools – hacksaw, file, etc. • Reading engineering drawings • Use of power tools – bench drill, bench grinder, band saw, belt / disc sander • Pipe work (copper and stainless steel) 3.
What do you most enjoy about your apprenticeship?
I most enjoy having a different challenge/ task to do every day. I speciifcally enjoy sheet metal fabrication – seeing a flat sheet turn into a final product Variety of work that is required means I am learning new skills all the time and never get bored. 4. What has been your proudest achievement or highlight so far? Proudest moment was being nominated in the top 3 for ICOM apprentice of the year award, and attending the annual luncheon at the RAF Club, London. I also got an Innovation Award for work on a project at work.
5. What advice would you give to young people unsure about an apprenticeship in your industry? Apply! It’s a great chance to learn numerous skills, and gain a lot of confidence. The skills you learn can be applied outside of work also.
Ends For further information contact: -Jo, jo@eua.org.uk, 01926 513728. www.eua.org.uk www.icom.org.uk Note to editors: The Industrial & Commercial Energy Association, ICOM, is a member organisation working to engage in all aspects of energy related business activities, working closely with government, non-governmental offices, research establishments and industry trade associations towards a greener future. ICOM is a division of the Energy and Utilities Alliance (EUA).