Want to know more?
Read more about our apprenticeships or check out our careers page
National Apprenticeship Week 2025 – Life Beyond Apprenticeships
Meet Conor.
Mechanical Chargehand, Sellafield
“Do not be afraid of the unknown. Starting something like an apprenticeship can sometimes feel like a scary, unfamiliar scenario – but having been through one, it is the best thing you can do for both personal and professional growth.”
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. Completing an apprenticeship is a fantastic achievement and with hard work and commitment you could land yourself a great career. We look at some of our employees who started their career as apprentices, what it taught them and where they are today. We spoke with Conor Skinner to talk about his apprenticeship experience and see where it took him.
What was your apprenticeship in?
I completed a Level 3 apprenticeship in fabrication and Welding starting out at Gen 2 for a year where I learned a variety of skills linked to my trade through a classroom and shop floor environment, also I gained confidence in myself through team building exercises. From this, I spent 3 years at West Cumberland Engineering which gave me more of an insight of the process of fabrication along with the skills such as forming, shaping and assembly, in this time I gained more independence as I was placed on jobs where I was responsible for the manufacturing and fabrication throughout the entire job.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
I chose an apprenticeship as it provides the best hands-on practical experiences and a chance to develop high demand skills in engineering. I find that an apprenticeship is the perfect way to start any working career and have been grateful of it ever since I got the chance to start mine.
What do you do now your apprenticeship is complete?
Since I completed my apprenticeship In 2016 I have been involved in a number of projects on Sellafield site, projecting the skills I have learned over my apprenticeship to real world jobs. From this I moved up from Fabrication Craftsman to Fabrication Chargehand which gives me more responsibility that the job goes ahead safely and correctly. Currently I am still working as a craftsman involving the hands-on aspects of projects but am fully qualified to step in as a temporary Supervisor due to my chargehand role.
In 2022 I asked to be considered to go back to college and complete a HNC in Mechanical Engineering through the University of Cumbria which Shepley granted me a weekly day release to complete this qualification at Lakes Collage and also provided the funding for me to do so.
Alongside my HNC I am currently working on a Level 4 Standard in a Manufacturing technician apprenticeship all of which I am incredibly grateful for Shepley for allowing me to progress my career growth through these qualifications
How did your apprenticeship help you?
My apprenticeship equipped me with the attributes to become a competent, Level 3 qualified fabricator and has led me to have a major confidence gain in both my person and the work I produce going forward.
My apprenticeship also helped me overall by offering a structured way of entering a workforce, develop skills and lay the foundation for a successful career.
What would you say to anybody considering an apprenticeship?
Personally, I would strongly recommend it and feel there is no better way of starting a career! An apprenticeship provides a foundation of skills that you can keep building on throughout your career through other qualifications as well as meeting new people along the way building friendships throughout your career.
I have no regrets of my apprenticeship career choice and being supported by a company like Shepleys who put the employee first by providing extra qualifications to aid the career development of myself helps in a huge way.
Advice I would pass to anyone who is considering an apprenticeship is to do not be afraid of the unknown, starting something like an apprenticeship can sometimes feel like a scary unfamiliar scenario but having been through one, it is the best thing you can do for both personal and professional growth. Asking questions and building working relationships is a major benefit of any apprenticeship as it shows a genuine interest in your apprenticeship.