The increasing demand for skilled engineers across the UK is a well-recognized challenge, frequently discussed in the engineering and manufacturing sectors. This issue took center stage at the recent Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), an event that highlights an industry contributing an estimated £13 billion annually to the UK economy, with significant growth anticipated in the coming years. During the airshow, the UK government introduced ‘Skills England,’ an initiative aimed at creating opportunities for young people, particularly those interested in apprenticeships. As the job market continues to evolve rapidly, cultivating new talent in engineering is more critical than ever, making apprenticeship opportunities vital.
At Carter Manufacturing, we are committed to fostering this new talent and are proud to share the success story of one of our own apprentice engineers, 19-year-old Jake Hopgood. Jake has been part of our team while pursuing a ‘Level 2 Engineering Diploma’ at Abingdon and Witney College, where he attended classes one day a week and spent the remaining four days gaining hands-on experience at Carter. Now, having completed his two-year apprenticeship, Jake reflects on his role and experiences at Carter, hoping to inspire others considering a career in engineering.
Jake’s Path to Engineering
Jake’s journey into engineering began early on. Initially, he aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a builder. However, his father encouraged him to explore other opportunities, and it was his grandfather who introduced him to the field of engineering. This sparked Jake’s interest, and from that point on, he was determined to pursue a career in engineering. Despite not having any other family members in the field, Jake’s passion for engineering grew, further fueled by the fact that several of his friends were also pursuing engineering apprenticeships at other companies.
Jake’s Interests and Experience at Carter
Jake’s interests within engineering include machining, assembly, and inspection, with a particular fondness for working with the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). As an apprentice at Carter Manufacturing, Jake was exposed to a wide range of tasks, including bearing and tooling assembly, machine operation, SolidWorks/CAD work, MD coating, and programming and operating various machines. His experience also included cryogenic testing of bearings using liquid nitrogen, determining radial internal clearance with the RIC rig, and receiving fire warden and health & safety training.
Jake’s role at Carter provided him with invaluable hands-on experience in a company renowned for its precision bearings and tooling, serving some of the UK’s leading high-tech industries. He had the opportunity to work on assembling hybrid bearings for cryogenic applications, lightweight slewing bearings for the defence sector, titanium bearings for competitive yacht racing, and aluminium thrust bearings for the medical sector.
Jake’s Reflections and Future Aspirations
Reflecting on his time at Carter, Jake shares, “My apprenticeship at Carter has been a tremendous success. I started with very little knowledge, and over the past two years, I’ve learned so much. I now have skills I never imagined I would acquire.”
Looking to the future, Jake is optimistic and determined to continue advancing in his engineering career. “I hope to keep progressing, step by step, and achieve great things in engineering,” he concludes.
At Carter Manufacturing, we are dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of engineers, and we are thrilled to see the progress and success of apprentices like Jake.