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The Student - Ricki Pritchett
Studying Fabrication and Welding at Hereford Technology School in his home town of Grimsby first sparked 17 year old Ricki Pritchett’s interest in becoming a professional welder. Encouraged by his parents, Ricki attended an open day at Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, where he had successfully completed a level 1 Performing Engineering Operations (PEO1) in Fabrication and Welding and came across the ECITB Welding Apprenticeship. Signing up on the spot, Ricki is now halfway though his first year of the three year course and well on his way to achieving his dream career.
The ECITB Apprenticeship Experience
Six months into the Welding Apprenticeship, Ricki is thoroughly immersed in the course which mixes classroom study with practical welding tasks, all under the watchful eye of his learning facilitator. However it’s not all work; when he’s not studying, Ricki indulges his other passion in life, turning out for his local five-a-side football team.
The first year of the course sees Ricki based five days a week at the Immingham CATCH Centre, ensuring all thirteen students have the same basic knowledge.
The group works on a range of welding tasks, sharing their experiences with the
class and recording each exercise in a log. At the end of the year, written exams will not
only test their knowledge of welding theory but also such vital areas as health & safety,
first aid and scaffolding.
“I’m dyslexic so I was dreading the written part of the course but if there’s anything
I’m not sure about I can ask my facilitator who’s really supportive,” says Ricki.
“The course I did at Grimsby Institute last year meant that I came here with a PEO 1 in Engineering, Mathematics Level 2 and Communication (English) Level 2 which gave me an exemption on some parts of the apprenticeship. It’s well worth checking out what foundation courses are available to give yourself a flying start.”
The Result
Next year will see Ricki moving on to real life welding projects in the field with his sponsors, Stallingborough-based BIS O'Hare Engineering. “It’s not just about learning a new skill. I’m growing in confidence and building up a great network of friends, many of whom I could be working with in the future. These are plenty of opportunities for welders
in this area and once I get the Welding Apprenticeship I want to go on and specialise
in gas and oil refinery installations.”
Qualities required
You will need to be comfortable working at heights, have good eyesight and be physically fit. Welding demands absolute concentration, and good hand-to-eye co-ordination.
What you could be working on
Welding, the joining of steels with the application of heat or electrical arc, is a technique used in many industries. In engineering construction, welding of sheets, pipes and sections must be done on-site, often in adverse conditions, and frequently at heights. You'll also learn to assemble and operate equipment and how to work safely.
Contacts
- Jim Kinnell
- Head of Apprenticeships Programmes
- Theresa Bisgrove
- Apprenticeships Administrator