We have just started five new NDT Engineer apprentices in our company and, as part of their induction process, I talked about what makes a great apprentice: skills, knowledge and 'behaviours'. They are told what it takes to become a Level 3, for instance having to stand up to Production Managers and taking a level of personal and ethical responsibility as there are 'no garages in the sky'. The aim is to demonstrate that NDT is a serious responsibility and to convey to them that training to become a Level 3, or to take that job role on in the future, is not easy. It can be very stressful and it is important that apprentices are given the chance during their training to experience audits, production 'issues', working with awkward people and, at the same time, striving to deliver their personal objectives. My colleagues and I enjoy working with apprentices and shaping them into professionals who we trust and who will ultimately work with us in our company. It is an immensely satisfying part of the job when you congratulate them and see their completion certificate. Even during COVID times, there is still a shortage of Level 3s and I encourage employers to carry on recruiting, even if in modest numbers.
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