This week is National Careers Week and the theme is ‘Own Your Future’.
‘Own Your Future’ means taking personal responsibility for your goals, choices and career path — which is exactly what James is doing.
Meet James.
James, from Spirax Sarco, completed his Level 3 apprenticeship in 2025 and is now progressing through his HNC.
We caught up with James to talk about his apprenticeship journey and share his experience.
Q: What made you choose an engineering apprenticeship over other routes?
A: I was introduced into the world of engineering by my dad who has his own fabrication & welding business, working with him on Saturday mornings from as early as 13/14 years old. I knew from this sort of age that this was the type of industry I would eventually want to work in. I grew up around this environment from such an early age that it became the norm to me. I knew as soon as I started my first year in sixth form that university was definitely not going to be for me, and this enabled me to pursue an apprenticeship route into engineering.
Q: What advice would you give to someone unsure about university vs an apprenticeship?
A: I’d say that whatever choice you do initially choose to pursue, does not mean you can’t do the other further down the line! I took the apprenticeship route and am studying for a mechanical engineering degree on the side of my work which is entirely funded by the company I work for. I also know people who have gone down the university route for mechanical engineering and are thriving. It all comes down to the type of person you are and which of the two paths you think will benefit you most.
Q: What does a typical week look like for you? (Training centre vs employer)
A: My week is split into 1 day at Gloucester Engineering Training and 4 days here at Spirax Sarco. Working in the projects engineering department, a lot of my days revolve around managing engineering projects for both UK and worldwide sites (these projects mostly include NPI and value engineering). On my 1 day at GET, I spend my time studying for an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering.
Q: What’s been the most challenging part — and how did you overcome it?
A: The most challenging part of my apprenticeship has definitely been how fast I’ve had to adapt from my first year at GET to full time work, it is a change which everyone has to do but was one that was an initial shock to the system. I overcame this by simply putting myself out there in every situation possible, whether I ‘failed’ or had mistakes during the process was something I knew would happen at some point in my career and these were simply things I learnt from in the future.
Q: How have you grown in confidence since starting?
A: An example I like to use for this question revolves around presenting in front of people, if I had told my 16 year old self that I would feel comfortable presenting in front of large groups of people, I would of laughed! I started presenting at the very start of my apprenticeship to 1 or 2 people during meetings and this eventually grew to more and more people, the most recent being a presentation to our senior leadership panel in both UK and US Supply. Experiences and making mistakes have definitely been the two most important things that have shaped my confidence growth during my time here at Spirax Sarco. Some people may raise their eyebrows to ‘making mistakes’ but these mistakes you make ensure that you learn from them and further your knowledge for future experiences.
Q: Can you describe a project or task that made you feel proud?
A: At the end of my apprenticeship, I was given the opportunity to do a 2 month long project in our US site in South Carolina. A design for manufacture project which resulted in $500,000 in savings over a 10 year period. This was a major milestone for me, living half way across the world on my own with people I had never met before and having the task of delivering an engineering project off my own accord. It showed me how much trust Spirax had in me so early on in my career.
Q: What would you say to younger students considering this route?
A: I would say to younger students that engineering is for everybody, it is such a large industry that there is something for everyone inside it! It is a route that requires hard work and dedication at the best of times but is one of the most rewarding feelings when things go well!
Q: What skills do you think employers value most in apprentices?
A: Skills employers value most in engineering: High work ethic, a team player, determination and a willingness to learn new things
Q: In three words, how would you describe your apprenticeship?
A: Rewarding, Development and Opportunities
Q: If you could go back and speak to your 16-year-old self, what would you say?
A: I would tell my 16 year old self that everything eventually works itself out, work hard and carry on pursuing a career in engineering. I would also make a big point to make sure you network as much as you can with people, doesn’t matter who they are at the time as any contact for future references is better than no contact.
