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National Apprenticeship Week 2025 – Meet Our Apprentices
Meet Kylan.
Level 3 Machining Technician – West Cumberland Engineering, Workington
“I didn’t expect as much independence as I currently get, I get tasked with a job and left to complete it to the best of my ability, treated like everyone else and not pointed out as an apprentice.”
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 Kylan Thompson to talk about his experiences and share what he has learned during his apprenticeship.
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
Before I left school, I knew I wanted to get into a trade to help build my knowledge and skills in the engineering industry. I initially wanted to become a welder but got given the opportunity to become a machinist and took the chance when offered.
I knew an apprenticeship was the path I wanted to pursue as I enjoy being hands on and working on various jobs while also learning all the necessary skills and knowledge to better myself for the company.
What does a typical day in your job involve?
A typical day in my role involves drawing inspection to understand what I have been tasked with, programming the toolpaths for the machining operations, quality control to ensure all tolerances and standards are to the correct specification.
My jobs vary every day, I could be completing batch work one day and one-off jobs the next. It could be raw material to complete a job or partially machined material to alter or complete an operation other machine can’t do.
How have you progressed since joining?
Since starting in September 2022, when my first year was full time at college learning all the basics of multiple trades to currently being halfway through my third year machining I think I have progressed well, as I have improved in all aspects of knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to complete complex jobs independently, occasionally asking for assistance on machining operations I am not familiar with. I am tasked every day with new challenges ranging from work holding to complex tool paths.
What are your career aspirations?
I’m currently working towards completing my apprenticeship by the end of this year to be a fully qualified machinist, I would like to further my career goals by completing my Higher National Certificate in Engineering to develop and be the best I possibly can.
What do you like most about your apprenticeship? Has anything surprised you?
I enjoy being able to work independently where it is possible to complete jobs and see the final product upon completion, I think it’s very satisfying seeing the final product develop over time from raw material to final assembly and makes me proud that I can put my name to that specific product once completed.
When I first started on the shop floor I didn’t expect as much independence as I currently get, I get tasked with a job and left to complete it to the best of my ability and am also treated like everyone else and not pointed out as an apprentice.
What you say to somebody considering an apprenticeship?
I personally believe an apprenticeship is the best way to get yourself in the door of the working world, being able to learn while also completing jobs to benefit and grow yourself and the company while also receiving qualifications upon completion.
When I first started I had very little experience on machines from school but since I started my apprenticeship I have learned to a lot of skills and knowledge from colleagues to help me better myself and understand different engineering terms and drawings to understand what is required and how I can complete it successfully.