National Apprenticeship Week 2022
To celebrate the 15th annual National Apprenticeships Week, we're showcasing some of our incredible apprentices who are helping us to build the future.
Apprenticeships are an amazing option for those who want a further education while earning and learning at the same time. To celebrate the 15th annual National Apprenticeships Week, we wanted to showcase some of our incredible apprentices who are helping us, build the future.
Over the last 45 years we have worked hard to create a rewarding and fulfilling apprenticeship scheme, which aims to evoke the best qualities out of everyone that joins the family here at bott. We focus our energy on not only delivering outstanding products and service, but in creating a positive workplace culture that encourages employees to achieve their goals.
Meet Ryan Copplestone -
Mechanical Engineer, Bude site.
From starting out as an engineering apprentice 12 years ago, Ryan now works with new and current apprentices to inspire and help them along their paths. Ryan’s extensive experience covers; Packing Area Operations, Welding, Major Contact Co-ordination, Tool Room Lead Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
Ryan said: "I visited the bott factory in Bude when I was in school. I was on a trip as part of my manufacturing GCSE, my group was being shown around by qualified apprentice, Simon Willshire. On our tour around the factory we stopped at the ‘punching cell’, this cell contained huge state of the art CNC punching machines, used for punching holes in sheets of metal. I was obsessed with them. I knew from that moment I had to work at bott.
In my 12 years working with the business there has been a great deal of opportunity for me. I started out as an apprentice at 17 years old, while I attended college one day a week. I was being trained in-house in, welding and fabrication, CNC punching, hand bending/auto bending and spent time with the engineering team learning lathes, mills and bench fitting. Once I had completed my apprenticeship I began a new path, spending time shadowing production supervisors and learning the refined details of running areas and leading teams.
In my opinion, one of the best highlights of doing an apprenticeship is earning while learning, it’s a win, win really! I was trained by skilled team members on the cutting edge machines such as; CNC platforms, welding, powder coating and so much more. Along with learning the physical skills it takes to become a mechanical engineer. I have also been on the bott Leadership Programme which ultimately led me on the path to become a mentor for the current apprentices. I’ve learnt so much during my time here, and I’ve earnt a full time wage in the process!"
Ryan goes on to say: My current role as, Apprentice Mentor and Mechanical Engineer, means so much to me as the previous apprenticeship mentor, Simon Willshire played a huge part in shaping me into the man I am today. I hope I can have the same influence on the future apprentices at bott. It’s an incredibly rewarding job, sometimes it’s hard to put into words how great it is to watch our apprentices flourish in their chosen fields."
Meet some of our current apprentices
Why did you choose to pursue an apprenticeship & why bott? “I chose bott because it’s an international company, with great possibilities to develop myself both in and out of the workplace, and I know I have a lot to give.”
Pedro Macias-Rodriguez, Engineering Apprentice, joined 2018
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship? “Apprenticeships aren’t just for those leaving school, if you’re in your mid-twenties or older and want a career change, an apprenticeship is a great way of doing it.”
Chris Dunn, Punching Setter/Promecam Operator, joined 2018
Where would you like your apprenticeship to take you? “I would like to continue my career at bott after my apprenticeship and potentially expand my career here, perhaps into management.”
Owen Ward, Electrical Installation Apprentice, joined 2020
Ryan Copplestone continues: "For anyone considering what they might want to do with their future, all I would say is that my apprenticeship, gave me the power to learn while earning a full time wage. It put me in a workplace environment where I picked up real world skills you might not learn in a class room. I became part of a team, and made friendships that will last a lifetime. I would say starting an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!"
Interested in an apprenticeship at bott? Why not join us on our Apprenticeship Open Days in Bude, on Wednesday 23rd February or Wednesday 2nd March. Take a tour of our world-class manufacturing site and meet our apprentices. Sign up now!