The future is looking bright for the latest batch of learners successfully completing their apprenticeships alongside NETA Training.
A group of nine former apprentices gathered for a dedicated presentation at NETA Lustrum to officially mark the occasion.
Receiving completion certificates were PD Ports’ maintenance operations engineering technician apprentices Adam, Cameron, Evan, Jack, Jamie and Lewis, along with Antlia Services Ltd’s mechanical apprentice, Taylor.
PD Ports’ fabrication welders Kane and Zak also joined the celebrations after completing their apprenticeships last year.
“For us as training providers seeing learners achieve has got to be a highlight of what we do,” said NETA’s director Sean Johnston.
“Apprenticeships take hard work, commitment and determination, and the fact that these learners are here today, supported by their employers, is testament to their dedication.
“Studying an apprenticeship is about more than learning the skills of your trade, it is also about building the softer skills of employment, becoming accustomed to the work environment, getting up, and showing up, on time every day. These are skills that will stay with you for life.”
Now working as a rotating equipment technician with Antlia Services, Taylor, 19, from Hartlepool, said: “After three and a half years, I am really pleased to have finished my apprenticeship. I spent the first six months full-time at NETA before going into work.”
Describing himself as a practical hands-on learner, the apprenticeship route suited him. He said: “It has been a great experience learning and building my confidence in the workplace.”
A year after completing his apprenticeship Zak, 25, from Billingham, is now working as a fabrication welder with PD Ports. He said: “Due to the restrictions of the Covid pandemic I was on site from day one but that worked well for me.”
Learning in the workplace and clearly impressing his bosses, for him, the move into permanent employment was a natural progression – though not something he took for granted.
Today, a year into the job, he said: “It’s going well, and I really enjoy it.”
