Part of GE Vernova, FieldCore is a global, industrial field services engineering specialist in the energy power sector. It was established as an independent company in 2018 and hired its first apprentice, Fletcher Brown, in 2023. It now has 25 apprentices.
Fletcher Brown was the first Apprenticeship FieldCore has employed for more than a decade.
Andrew Felton, FieldCore’s Resource Operations Manager, himself a former apprentice, sees the real benefits apprentices bring to the organisation.
He said: “Our apprentices bring new energy to the coalface and the questioning nature, as shown by Fletcher, is a real positive. They provide new perspectives and look at problem-solving in a different way.
“Our arm of the company had not hired apprentices since around 2010. There is a misconception that recruiting apprentices is expensive. Yes, it takes time for them to complete their training to be able to come into the workplace but we are able to draw down funding for our programme from the apprenticeship levy.
“It is increasingly clear that industry needs to invest in the future. We have an ageing demographic. The need to develop talent has never been so important. Fuelling that future talent pipeline is imperative.”
“The apprenticeship has not only been beneficial to my learning but also to life skills. And it has allowed me to visit amazing places along the way.
“Through working with experts in the trade, I have increased my mechanical experience and now feel comfortable and confident towards any task or problem I may face.”
Fletcher Brown
Mechanical Engineering Apprentice, FieldCore
Apprenticeships fantastic way to grow skilled talent from within
Paul Turnbull, Head of Engineering at NETA Training Group, said: “Fletcher is a great example of what young people can achieve through hard work and proper application.
“He is also a great ambassador for the vocational courses we offer here at NETA which provide excellent preparation for working in industry and offer a stepping stone into engineering apprenticeships.
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for global businesses like FieldCore to develop and grow skilled talent from within and help to service their clients’ needs to the highest standards’’.
Since FieldCore started the programme in January 2023, it now has 25 apprentices across mechanical and electro-mechanical disciplines. The first cohort of apprentices started on site in September 2024.
FieldCore built on apprenticeships
As well as mechanical and electro-mechanical, the company is looking to extend its programme to include welding apprenticeships this year.
“Our company is built on apprenticeships. Many of our senior leaders came from an apprenticeship route and understand the benefits these bring”, Andrew said.
“It does take some time and preparation to bring in this new talent. For example, we run a lot of health and safety training. We have trained our supervisors in soft skills to manage the new cohorts. We make sure we have regular touch points and a buddy for every apprentice on the job.
“It’s about ensuring we have put the safety net in place as the apprentices go into the workplace.
“We are interested in recruiting from the ECITB’s scholarship programme as these learners already have a good understanding of the skills and knowledge that we need.
“We are demonstrating that, as a company, we are investing in the future both to our customers and the wider industry.”
Fletcher added: “The engineering programme is one I would highly recommend. “The network can take you around the world. Not only that, our local industrial infrastructure on Teesside offers opportunities for jobs every week in every aspect of engineering.
“Learning and earning is the best way to start your career without a doubt.”
About FieldCore Services
Part of GE Vernova’s Gas Power One Field Services team established in 2018, FieldCore Services Solutions enables operators of the world’s energy infrastructure to provide more reliable and affordable energy.
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