FEATURE 30 Opinion
The answer to your skills gaps could be closer than you think James Henson, Operations Manager (Design & Compliance) at Musk Process Services, explains from first-hand experience how keeping an open mind can open up new talent streams.
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y current role is as Operations Manager at Musk Process Services. In this position, I lead the Engineering Compliance and Design department; however, my journey to where I am now definitely wasn’t straightforward. Without other engineers and mentors offering me the opportunities that I couldn’t access on my own, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today; a professionally registered chartered engineer and leading our Design Department. I always knew I wanted a job that I could develop into a career for life. I began as a semi-skilled carpenter, and spent time as a motor mechanic before eventually pursuing my ultimate goal, an apprenticeship in engineering. It was after this that I was first made aware of Musk, (then Peme) and was successful in joining the company as a computeraided design (CAD) technician. It wasn’t an apprenticeship; however, it offered the opportunity to get into engineering, which was my goal. The position also came with the potential to develop further and turn it into a lifelong career. I worked hard, starting early and staying late, which caught the Managing Director’s eye. He offered me the opportunity of pursuing an apprenticeship with the company despite the fact I wasn’t the typical ‘straight out of school’ new recruit. The academic year had already started when I was offered this new and exciting role, which required further hard work, catching up with several weeks of college work. Nonetheless, I finally completed the apprenticeship that I had always wanted, qualifying in Mechanical Engineering and Design. The opportunities to expand my skills and knowledge continued after my apprenticeship, and much of this can be attributed to the mentorship I received from my managers and more
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senior engineers at the time. Once I had qualified through the apprenticeship, I was encouraged to lead design and installation projects which gave me a good grounding in most aspects of our business and my trade. After broadening my knowledge, I was offered the opportunity to move into the Reliability Engineering Department, to widen my knowledge of asset care and the business. Under the guidance of Senior Reliability and Condition Monitoring Engineers, I completed an HNC. I also furthered my skills and gained a qualification in Specialised Condition Based Monitoring Techniques, such as Thermography and Ultrasound. Again, without my peers’ support, I would never have had the opportunity to expand my engineering knowledge and develop into the engineer I am today. The Senior Management Team within Musk really believe in others and make it a priority to encourage and enable other colleagues to develop internally. I was extremely fortunate to be mentored by an experienced Design Manager, Steve Wiles, and our Operations Director, Darren Martin, who included and supported me in establishing the engineering compliance arm of the business that I currently influence. I recognise the mentorship that I have received, and now I want to give that back. I’m grateful to be in a position where I can support other engineers in the business in developing their careers in the same way as I’ve been supported during mine. I have learnt so much during my career with Musk, and I am so fortunate to have been given the roles and
James Henson, Operations Manager at Musk Process Services.
learning opportunities throughout this time. I feel that apprenticeships are often stereotyped to young people and school leavers; however, many others can benefit hugely from them. Every day we are learning, and there is so much more knowledge to acquire. We have recognised that it really doesn’t matter at what stage you are within your career; you can always learn to advance yourself. I really believe that engineering companies can benefit from having an open mind when it comes to apprenticeships and offering development opportunities to their existing and older staff, as well as taking on recruits directly from education. chevron-circle-right
“I really believe that engineering companies can benefit from having an open mind.”
www.ejmusk.co.uk www.bpma.org.uk
