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National Apprenticeship Week 2025 – Meet Our Apprentices
Meet Ethan.
Level 3 Metal Fabricator – Fabrication Workshop, Workington
“It is the easiest way to learn about your desired job, because you’re actually doing it”
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 Ethan Harris to talk about his experiences and share what he has learned during his apprenticeship.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
My main ambition after leaving school was to get involved with engineering in some way, shape, or form. I chose metal fabrication because I knew shop floor experience is key within this field of work. I spent the first year of my apprenticeship at Lakes College, where I first developed and progressed my fabrication skills.
What does a typical day in your job involve?
A typical day on the shop floor consists of individual tasks that will inevitably all add up to contribute to a job given to me by supervisors or shop floor managers.
When we’re not rushed off our feet, I may be given smaller more intricate work to further develop my skills in fabrication.
How have you progressed since joining?
As I had no experience in metal fabrication or engineering prior to starting my apprenticeship, I believe I have made significant progress in my knowledge of the trade, the skills required and the behaviour suited to the shop floor environment.
The first 12 months in college helped me set a foundation in place before building on that when I arrived at the workshop here in March 2024.
I have also been continually pushed in terms of my skills while at the Shepley workshops to ensure that I become the best I can possibly be.
What are your career aspirations?
My aspirations short term are to finish my current apprenticeship with a merit grade minimum. This is so I am a fully qualified plater / metal fabricator. My long term goals in engineering is to complete my HNC and HND in nuclear decommissioning. It is important that I gain shop floor experience before entering the decommissioning field so I can apply my metal fabrication knowledge to that work.
What do you like most about your apprenticeship? Has anything surprised you?
One of the biggest positives about my apprenticeship is the hands-on learning, as personally I find that easier than reading from a book. Another positive is that I am learning the way the jobs are made, inspected and delivered to the customer which I was unaware of before.
What you say to somebody considering an apprenticeship?
I would strongly advise people to apply for an apprenticeship as it is the easiest way to learn about your desired job, because you’re actually doing it. As well as this, you have help available at all times from your college lecturer, your line manager and your colleagues.