Mon – Fri: 8am – 5pm
At Blaker Engineering, we’ve always believed in the value of practical skills and hands-on experience.
That’s why we actively support apprenticeships, helping to introduce young people into engineering careers, particularly those who are better suited to learning in a practical environment rather than a purely academic one.
We’re pleased to be working in partnership with Crawley College, part of the Chichester College Group, and this year we’re looking forward to welcoming two new apprentices into the business.
Our apprentices will spend four days a week in our workshop, alongside one day at college, combining experience on live jobs with structured learning.
Through this, they develop essential practical skills along with the professional behaviours that employers value, helping to prepare them for long-term careers in engineering.
Within the workshop, they will work alongside experienced members of our team, gaining exposure to live jobs and day-to-day operations. This includes a wide range of work, from HGV lorry and trailer axle repairs through to metal recycling equipment refurbishment and heavy plant repairs such as digger buckets.
There will be a particular focus on developing practical skills in areas such as welding and machining, supported by guidance from engineers who have built their experience over many years.
As our Commercial Manager, Robin Plater, explains:
“We want to see more young people coming into the industry. Engineering needs fresh talent, and apprenticeships are a practical way of building skills and passing on experience within the workshop.”
We often see that interest start with work experience. I was particularly impressed with a recent applicant who came in to see if the opportunity was right for him. He embraced the task straight away and, within a couple of hours, was arc welding to a very high standard. He’s a natural.
For us, apprenticeships are not just about training, they are about passing on knowledge, supporting the industry and investing in the future of engineering.
We’ve seen first-hand how successful this approach can be and we’re looking forward to seeing our new apprentices develop their skills and confidence over the coming months.