National Apprentice Week 2022

This week is National Apprentice Week and alongside MEGA we would like to introduce our apprentices and the work they do for our company. Currently we have four apprentices, Oisin McNally and Elliot Crooks who are apprentice welders completing their courses through South West College and North Regional College. To celebrate we spoke to two of our apprentices Renee Larmour and Ryan Bradley about their time here at Steelweld.

Renee Larmour: I am currently in the second year of my foundation degree in manufacturing engineering at South West College. I chose Steelweld because it seemed like a really good company to work for. In Steelweld I am in design and have completed a few different projects. I have also been mixing with the other departments in the company and getting experience of the company as a whole.

I enjoy Steelweld as I am learning a lot about the engineering industry. I am also getting an insight into the area I want to specialise in once I graduate. I feel like I have got a lot out of my time here at Steelweld and gained a lot of experience that I wouldn’t have gotten if I had gone the traditional university route to get my degree.

I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who prefers the hands-on experience of engineering as opposed to the full time studying, and you also learn valuable skills along the way.

Ryan Bradley: Hi, my name is Ryan Bradley and I am currently studying the GOLD Engineering Programme in South West College in Dungannon and I fulfil the role of an Apprentice Design Engineer here in Steelweld.

I chose Steelweld because I knew a lot about the company and I knew it would be the perfect place for me to kickstart my engineering journey. I am thoroughly enjoying my time here in Steelweld due to the great team that work here and the guidance I receive in regards to my job. I came into this job with little experience working in an engineering department and now I feel like my knowledge has grown massively and is increasing as the weeks go on. I would highly recommend an apprenticeship programme to someone who is considering it due to long list of benefits that come with doing apprenticeships.

Also introducing Leo Ruas Da Costa and Rodrigo Ferreira from the welding academy who completed a six week course before taking up employment with Steelweld.