This week, MHT Technology will take part in National Apprenticeship Week.
This is a week for businesses and education centres around the country to celebrate and acknowledge apprentices’ hard work and progress as they move forward on their career journeys.
At MHT we are grateful to have 3 fantastic apprentices, and we would like to take this opportunity to shine the spotlight on them.
In September of 2023, we took on two new Apprentices. Joe and Tom became our first-ever Apprentice Software Engineers, and they have absolutely hit the ground running.
Joe – Apprentice Software engineer
“Hi, I am Joe, and I am currently working towards a Digital and Technology Solutions degree apprenticeship with MHT Technology.
Back in college, when it was time to think about university, I started looking into apprenticeships and realised that they suited me more than the idea of continuing full-time education. Apprenticeships have a few major benefits over traditional university: getting to work while learning, help from professionals in your field, and avoiding the huge amount of debt from university fees.
My aim from this apprenticeship has always been to gain valuable knowledge in the area, but to achieve firsthand experience with developing software. My background in computer science in sixth form and secondary was why I decided a software career would be right for me. I also had people I spoke to already in the industry, so jumping straight into work right after college seemed like the right move.
So far, I have been learning through online courses, sessions with senior engineers, and my weekly university classes. This mix helps me apply what I learn in class to real work, which is exactly what I wanted. I always wondered how school stuff would actually matter in the real world, and now I am seeing the connections at my job with MHT. The first five months were not without their challenges, though. Moving from sixth form to working life was a big change since I had to get used to more responsibility, but it has been good for picking up skills I can use anywhere.
This apprenticeship scheme definitely feels like it is setting me up for the future, giving me experiences you just cannot get in a classroom. Furthermore, it is opening doors and giving me an edge in the job market compared to newly graduated uni students. If I were to think ahead, I am most excited about the chance to work with artificial intelligence and machine learning in the future.
Looking back, I am really glad I went the apprenticeship route since learning on the job works better for me than sitting in a lecture hall. Even though I am not at university full-time, the once-a-week classes still provide some university experiences, such as meeting other apprentices like me. If you were to ask if an apprenticeship is worth it, I would say totally. Anyone thinking about it should go for it because you never know where it will lead you. And one of the most attractive parts is you earn money whilst learning, which is a major win.”
Tom – Apprentice Software engineer
“Hello, my name is Tom, and I am an apprentice at MHT Technology. I am currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in digital and technology solutions (Software Engineering) at Teesside University.
I chose to undertake a degree apprenticeship as I was concerned that whilst going to university would allow me to gain academic knowledge, I would leave with no experience in the field. For me, the decision to go down the apprenticeship route was a no-brainer, as I could work and study simultaneously. Through my apprenticeship, I can apply the academic knowledge I learn at university in real-world settings, learn from professionals, and gain skills that will be invaluable to my career. Furthermore, given that the apprenticeship is government-funded, I am able to earn a salary without the stress of student finance/loans.
I have really enjoyed the apprenticeship so far. The opportunity to learn new skills and gain hands-on experience has already been incredibly rewarding. Beyond gaining coding and technical skills, I have been able to grow professionally, developing my communication, problem-solving, and teamwork abilities. My favourite part of the apprenticeship so far has been the ability to collaborate on projects and offer a meaningful contribution to the team despite being a novice. Being new to the industry, it was easy for me to doubt my ability, but the apprenticeship has offered me the flexibility to learn on the job and quickly overcome any fears by working on my own projects and collaborating with experienced developers.
In the coming years, I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my professional journey, and I cannot wait to see where this apprenticeship takes me. I strongly believe that the combination of academic learning and hands-on experience that a degree apprenticeship offers is an excellent pathway for anyone looking to start their software engineering career.”
Tom and Joe have been invaluable assets to our software degree apprenticeship program. Their dedication, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence have set a high standard for their peers. Both have consistently demonstrated exceptional problem-solving skills, innovative thinking, and a strong commitment to mastering the intricacies of software development. Their collaborative spirit and eagerness to learn make them standout candidates for future leadership roles in the industry. We are proud to have Tom and Joe as part of our apprenticeship program, and we have no doubt that they will continue to excel and make significant contributions to the field of software engineering.
You may have already been introduced to our Production and Field Service Apprentice, Jake. He is currently midway through his second year with the company and is an integral part of our team.
“Hi, my name is Jake; I am currently enrolled on a level 3 Engineering Fitter course at Darlington College, which I attend once a week. The course is part of my apprenticeship program here at MHT Technology.
When I left school, I decided I wanted an apprenticeship so I could gain the skills and knowledge from the college course but also the experience of a workplace. Once I left school, I went to college to study Electrical Installation, which I thoroughly enjoyed. This experience proved that I enjoyed working with electricity and gave me a career option which I would go on to pursue.
I have been working at MHT for a year and a half now, and throughout my time at the company, I have learned many skills ranging from academic skills to communication and people skills. So far, during my time on the apprenticeship, I have had many challenges in getting multiple reports completed in a short period of time; however, that challenge helped me to improve my time management. I have also taken a Portable Appliance Testing training course and the skills I gained I use at work when testing appliances around the office.
In the future, I would like to venture more into field service to experience the products we assemble in the office working out on-site.
Overall, my journey so far has been massively rewarding, gaining valuable skills and information needed in any workplace. I would massively recommend the apprenticeship schemes!”
If you are interested in working for MHT Technology Ltd, you can view our careers page on the button below.
