National Apprenticeship Week: Introducing Tom
Meet Tom Hall, 24; he tells us how he knew Osbit was the right company for him to pursue an apprenticeship, from the moment he came for an interview.
When did you join Osbit?
I started my apprenticeship with Osbit in 2016 and after completing my training in 2019 I was excited to accept a permanent position as Draughtsperson; I thoroughly enjoyed my training and it felt like a great fit.
What initially attracted you to an apprenticeship?
I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in engineering; after leaving school I joined a training company to learn a range of skills, including machinery, welding, CAD and fabrication. I really enjoyed the CAD side of things so I looked into options where I could build on my knowledge and gain hands-on experience at the same time.
Being local to the area I was aware of Osbit and it had always been a company that I had aspirations to join. I did some research before my interview but when I came in to meet everyone that cemented it in my mind that this was a very culture driven organisation and that was essential for me.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
At Osbit you’re given real responsibilities and the opportunity to take ownership of projects. I helped with the primary steel on the FTAI Tower and this was the first big project that I had been given the opportunity to work on independently, so it was a huge confidence boost and a real turning point for me.
Can you tell us a bit about what you’re up to at the moment?
The work I do is focused on the modelling and drawings for various projects which means my week can be so varied! At the moment I’m involved in modelling up the layout, cameras and sensors on an ocean-based kit which is really exciting.
How do you see your career progressing?
Throughout my apprenticeship I was able to get involved with lots of different functions and I think my ideal role would be Senior Draughtsperson. The great thing about working at Osbit is that your career path is never set in stone; they are passionate about supporting your development even if that’s across different functions in the business.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about an apprenticeship?
There are so many apprenticeship opportunities available; if you can gain some work experience prior to applying for an apprenticeship this will really help to narrow down the options. For me, being able to try a range of different skills first made it easier to identify the potential companies I could reach out to.