Whilst it is almost hard to believe, it has now been over a year since MHT welcomed our two Apprentice Software Engineers, Tom and Joe. In this blog we’ll get an insight into how they have found their first year here, and we’ll also catch up with our Production and Field Service Apprentice Jake who has entered his third and final year.
Joe – Apprentice Software engineer
How do you feel about the progress you’ve made in learning the skills required for your role?
“I feel I’ve made good progress in learning the skills required for my role at MHT. Over the past year, I’ve built a solid understanding of various technologies, and I’m able to tackle more complex tasks with confidence. My troubleshooting abilities, in particular, have improved significantly.”
How well do you feel you’ve adapted to the work culture and team dynamics?
“I’ve adapted well to the work culture and team dynamics at MHT. The team is very collaborative, and over time I’ve become comfortable with our communication style and workflow. The open environment has made it easier to seek help and contribute my own ideas to projects.”
Has the training and support you’ve received been effective in helping you meet your learning goals?
“Yes, the training and support I’ve received have been very effective. My mentor has been especially helpful in guiding me through complex tasks, and the resources provided by the company have supported my learning. I’ve found that I’m now able to apply my knowledge more practically in projects.”
How has your confidence grown since starting the apprenticeship?
“My confidence has grown significantly since starting the apprenticeship. Initially, I was hesitant when approaching tasks or asking questions, but now I feel much more self-assured in my abilities and decision-making. This growth has also made me more proactive in contributing to team discussions.”
How comfortable are you in giving and receiving feedback from colleagues and supervisors?
“I’m quite comfortable both giving and receiving feedback. At MHT, feedback is always constructive, and it’s encouraged in a way that helps me improve without feeling discouraged. I’ve also learned to give feedback to others in a way that supports the team’s growth and development.”
Do you have a clearer idea of where you’d like to be professionally in the next few years?
“Yes, I have a clearer idea of where I’d like to be. Over the next few years, I aim to develop more advanced technical skills, especially in software architecture and design. I’d also like to take on more responsibility within projects, possibly moving into a leadership role in the future.”
What has been the most valuable part of your apprenticeship experience so far?
“The most valuable part of my apprenticeship has been the hands-on experience. Being able to work on real-world projects has accelerated my learning far beyond what I could have achieved through theory alone. The combination of mentorship and practical tasks has been crucial to my development.”
Tom – Apprentice Software engineer
Has the training and support you’ve received been effective in helping you meet your learning goals?
“The apprenticeship has been highly effective in supporting my learning goals through a combination of university education and on-the-job training. The apprenticeships structure has allowed me to apply theoretical knowledge from my university courses directly to real-world projects at work, reinforcing my understanding and skills. Additionally, the hands-on experience I have gained has significantly contributed to my professional growth, helping me meet and often exceed my learning objectives.”
What has been the most valuable part of your apprenticeship experience so far?
“The most valuable aspect of my apprenticeship has been working on real-world projects. These experiences have challenged me to adapt to dynamic work environments, required quick problem-solving skills, and provided opportunities to apply theory from my university courses. Successfully completing these projects has given me a profound sense of accomplishment, boosting both my confidence and motivation in my chosen field.”
Do you have a clearer idea of where you’d like to be professionally in the next few years?
“Undergoing an apprenticeship has given me a better understanding of my chosen industry (software engineering) and how I can grow within the industry throughout my career. I now have a clearer vision of potential career paths, specialisations, and the skills I need to develop to achieve my professional goals in the coming years.”
Jake – Production and Field Service Apprentice
Can you describe a specific skill or task that you feel particularly confident in now compared to when you started?
“When I started over two years ago, I wasn’t very confident assembling our products so it would take me a while to get an order out of the door. However now I am very confident building and testing all of our products and feel I could comfortably guide others through the process too.”
How well do you feel you’ve adapted to the work culture and team dynamics?
“With being involved with in two separate departments, I think I have adapted to the team dynamics really well, especially when jumping between roles as I have to work with multiple different people. In fact one of the things I like most about my job is the people that I work with.”
How do you feel this apprenticeship is preparing you for a long-term career in this field?
“The fact that I get real world work experience in the industry I have chosen whilst continuing to learn and widen my knowledge is a remarkably good way to prepare me for a long term future in this field. I would recommend apprenticeships to anyone.”
What personal achievements are you most proud of so far?
“One of my personal achievements was completing my first order. When you are watching your work leave the building to he used on sites all over the world, you get an overwhelming sense of achievement and it pushes you to complete more and more orders at at a high standard.”
“Jake has now entered his 3rd and final year of his apprenticeship and is well and truly settled into his role within MHT. As well as performing well within the Production Department, he has been involved with several Field Service jobs, and as a result he is gaining a broader knowledge of Tank Gauging systems. It’s been enjoyable to oversee Jake’s progress over the last couple of years and I look forward to seeing his future progression within the engineering world.”
If you are interested in working for MHT Technology Ltd, you can view our careers page on the button below.