Apprenticeship story: 'Go for it. You learn a lot while getting paid'

Fabrication and welding apprentice Ewan Jack enjoys learning on a friendly campus from industry experts while gaining hands‑on experience and earning a wage.

Ewan (17) works for Ross-shire Engineering (RSE) and is currently studying an SVQ2 alongside a Level 5 NC in Fabrication and Welding at UHI Inverness.

“It’s good craic and I learn lots of new stuff which helps me improve in my job,” he said.

Ewan hopes to progress within RSE and eventually work abroad, and he’s confident his Fabrication and Welding Modern Apprenticeship will help him get there.

He said:

"I have learned all different types of welding, have developed my skills in fabrication and have learnt techniques I didn’t previously know how to do. You learn a lot at college and on the job and are also getting paid to do it. My advice to people considering an apprenticeship would be just go for it and stick in and listen to what you are told.” 

Ewan also appreciates that he is benefitting from the expertise of his lecturers.

“I think the lecturers are good as they all have experience working in the field before becoming lecturers and have good advice on how to improve,” said Ewan.