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James Jay

Now approaching the end of his Bespak apprenticeship in Engineering Technical Services, James Jay has enjoyed his time at the company gaining valuable knowledge and experience as well as professional qualifications at Bespak in King’s Lynn.

Tailored to focus on engineering, Bespak’s broad based apprenticeship programme covers every aspect of manufacturing in a fact-based and ‘real-world’ manufacturing environment. This gave James, exposure to all departments within the company, while enabling him to gain a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 3 in Engineering Technical Services, a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Mechanical Engineering (Design) and a formal Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering qualification.

Bespak’s apprenticeship programme runs for four years, with the whole of year one being spent off-site at the East Anglian Group Industrial Training (EAGIT) Centre. During this first year James worked towards a NVQ Level 2 in Engineering, with day release at Norwich City College studying a Business and Technician Education Council’s Ordinary National Certificate (BTEC ONC) in engineering. The second year of training was based at Bespak’s main site where rotation around the various departments began, during this year James spent one day a week at college to complete his BTEC ONC qualification. The NVQ Level 3 qualification also started in year two and continued for the duration of the programme. In year three James continued to gain Bespak specific experience while studying towards his HNC one day a week. Year four will see the completion of all of James’ college studies as well as the departmental rotation, with James’ final six months being spent specialising in his chosen area of manufacturing systems.

Throughout the entire programme a structured review process ensured James made the most of each of his placements. Quarterly and yearly reviews, alongside continuous individual counselling and support helped him and the company gain the most from this important time of development and progression.

Commenting on his apprenticeship James said: “Throughout my apprenticeship Bespak have been fully supportive, I have received encouragement and advice every step of the way, via both formal and informal review sessions, all of which I feel have helped me make the most of my learning and will help me to reach my full potential.”

“Bespak’s apprentice scheme has enabled me to develop a variety of skills. Departmental rotation gave me the opportunity to interact with lots of different people, at various levels in the organisation. This developed my interpersonal and communication skills while assuming an in depth knowledge of the company’s products and processes. Experiencing work within Bespak’s offices and on the ‘shop floor’ has provided me with a solid grounding to pursue a career in engineering.”

If you are interested in pursuing an apprenticeship with Bespak, contact Teresa Gibson via email at teresa.gibson@bespak.com or telephone 01553 691000.