Focus On: Chris Neylon

Engineering Apprentice

What’s good about the job?
Important Skills and Attributes
Progression & Future Opportunities
What else do you need to know?

Chris (19) is in the third year of his engineering apprenticeship with Bericap having spent 2 years at HETA (Humberside Engineering Training Association) and doing his practical at Bericap. Chris is a former pupil of David Lister School. His work is within the mould service and repair, and providing mould and tooling maintenance to support the production line. Time is also spent machining and making components.

What’s good about the job?

Chris knew when he was at school that he wanted to work in engineering and has not regretted his choice. He enjoys the friendly atmosphere at Bericap and the fact that the job is very much ‘hands on’. Chris says: “I never feel coming to work is a chore”.

Chris works from 7.00 am to 3.00 pm. He likes these hours as it means he has time after work to get his motorbike serviced and enjoy a social life with his mates.

Important Skills and Attributes

Chris feels it is very important to be committed both to the job and the company and to continue to want to learn new skills and gain experience. He says “You have got to want to do the job. I know I have a lot more learning to do; I want to know everything the older guys do. I’m always picking their brains”.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Chris had planned to go into an engineering role and studied Engineering at school. However he didn’t need engineering specifically to get his place at Hull College, but he did need GCSE’s in Maths, English and Science (A-C grades). He has another year of his apprenticeship to complete at Bericap and then hopes to get taken on by the company. He says there is a “99% chance of having a job” at the end of his apprenticeship.

Chris intends to carry on being keen and interested in his job as he wants to progress.

What else do you need to know?

Chris says “Full-time work isn’t like school; if you’re told something must be done or completed within a certain timescale, you need to make sure you do it. There isn’t a bell that goes at the end of the day like at school; sometimes you have to give a bit extra and that could make the difference between finishing a customer’s order on time or not. It’s very important to have a ‘can do’ attitude.”