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National Apprenticeship Week 2025 – Meet Our Apprentices
Meet Cara.
Level 3 Pipe Welder – Springfields, Preston
“It’s really satisfying – especially when I look back on what my welds were like when I first started”
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, a week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. To mark the occasion, we spoke with Cara Astley to talk about her experiences and share what she has learned during her apprenticeship.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship because I always wanted to work with my hands and have a job that’s transferrable across industries. I always enjoyed making things and designing things growing up.
What does a typical day in your job involve?
In the morning there is always a morning brief. Afterwards I’m either in the workshops fabricating and welding pipework, in a building measuring up, or fitting pipe.
How have you progressed since joining?
Since joining Shepley I have not only learnt how to weld pipe, but the full process from measuring up, drawing the design, fabricating and welding to finally fitting the pipe. I would also like to think I’ve grown a lot in confidence and learnt how to work in a team day in, day out.
What are your career aspirations?
I would like to travel the world and visit as many places as possible – that’s why a trade is ideal, because the skills are transferrable world wide.
What do you like most about your apprenticeship? Has anything surprised you?
I enjoy welding the most, when you complete a good weld it’s really satisfying – especially when I look back on what my welds were like when I first started.
What you say to somebody considering an apprenticeship?
No matter the career, I would say not to rush in to things. I researched, waited and took my time and eventually found this apprenticeship to be the perfect job for me.