Apprentice Case Study: Tommy Illingworth

After visiting OAS for an open evening, Tommy knew an engineering apprenticeship was the route he wanted to take when he finished school. Now a runner up for the prestigious Lloyds Bank SME Apprentice of the Year 2023 and a key member of the team at Presto Engineering, he has been on quite the journey since his work experience shadowing an HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) engineer in Year 10 and starting an apprenticeship at OAS in 2021.

We caught up with Tommy to hear about his learning and his role at Presto, and he has some handy advice for anyone thinking about undertaking an apprenticeship!

Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
What really drew me towards the route of doing an apprenticeship was the fact that I could do a course that is fully funded which didn’t require me to take out any student loans to pay for the course. Not only that, but by doing an apprenticeship, my company are almost paying me to do training that others have to pay for! So, it is really a win-win for me.

Did you have a particular career in mind when you made your decision? If so, what and why?
I first decided that engineering was the career path that I wanted to take after my work experience in Year 10, where I spent a week shadowing an HVAC engineer. From that week onwards, that was what I wanted to do with my career.

There wasn’t really another route for me. I didn’t feel university was the right path and the apprenticeship offers the theory and practical skills, with the ability to be shown how it applies to me day-to-day. I thought it was the best way to utilise the skills and knowledge I learnt in my first year and strengthen them in the workplace.

Did you have an idea of what an apprenticeship would involve before you came to OAS?
I found out about OAS through my dad’s place of work, as some of their apprentices trained at the centre. I went to an open evening, and from the minute I walked into the building, I knew this was the training centre that I wanted to do my apprenticeship at. Not only due to the state-of-the-art facilities but also the great trainers they have.

How has the apprenticeship programme been beneficial to you and your career?
I’ve learnt so much from a technical point of view which has hugely benefitted me now that I work fulltime at Presto Engineering. Not only that, but I’ve also adapted the way that I study and I’m able to manage my time in a way that suits me and my apprenticeship best. It’s given me the ability to learn from very knowledgeable trainers and colleagues, and I believe I have a very exciting career ahead of me because of this.

Being nominated and shortlisted for the Lloyds Bank SME Apprentice of the Year 2023 Award is great recognition of everything I have achieved so far and spurs me on for future success.

What would you say are the benefits and what advice would you offer to those looking to apply to the OAS apprenticeship programme?
For someone like me, who finds learning by application much easier than theory being described in a classroom, the OAS apprenticeship programme is a no brainer. As long as you are willing to put the work in, ask questions when you’re unsure, and make the most of your time at OAS, you’ll be on the right path to success.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
At Presto Engineering, we CNC machine a wide variety of parts for industry, mainly using aluminium. With my foundational learning from OAS, Presto has helped me further develop a wide range of skills in a real industrial setting, including how to use inspection equipment to ensure parts are machined to the correct specifications, how to prep a machine for a job, setting tools and datums, loading in programmes, and how to make tooling and fixturing for the job.

It’s great to now have responsibility for the inspection of parts, ensuring quality products are to the correct specification for customers. I’m also able to help them resolve any non-conformities and bring their parts back to specification where required.

What are your future career plans?
My first goal is to successfully completely my apprenticeship. I’m currently really enjoying my role at Presto, and I want to continue developing my skills in engineering while helping to grow Presto as a business.