Jamie Timmins is a successful ex-apprentice. Now a professional welder and fitter at Whale Tankers, Jamie’s experience has empowered him to become an apprentice mentor for the company.

Influencing the next generation of manufacturing apprentices, we met with Jamie to discuss his past.

Thanks for speaking with us Jamie. So you’ve completed an apprenticeship and bought the t-shirt?

That’s right. I’ve been employed by Whale Tankers for ten years now and completed my apprenticeship in 2004.

If I can take you back to 2001, how did you find your apprenticeship?

I actually found it through the work experience I did at college. I was thinking of doing a GNVQ in engineering at the time.

And what was it about an apprenticeship that appealed to you?

It was learning hands on about the product. This gave me the confidence in my ability and the right qualifications as well.

I expect earning whilst you learnt was also appealing?

Without a doubt. It helped me buy my own car, support myself financially and save for my trip to Australia.

Was that a holiday to Australia or something a bit more substantial?

I actually took a short break and went over for a year. The great thing was that I was able to apply the skills I had already learnt over there.

So you’d recommend an apprenticeship?

For me it was interesting, challenging and fun. I would certainly recommend it and my advice would be to put the effort in because what you get at the end is worth it.

Solid advice Jamie. Thanks again for your help.

Jamie’s experience shows that the skills you inherit through an apprenticeship stay with you for the rest of your life and can be applied to any environment. If you’re interested to find out what an apprenticeship can offer you, get in touch.