To secure a long term future for the UK chemicals industry, we need to invest in skills and development.
Mexichem Fluor is committed to investing in the next generation of engineers. To this end, in August 2012, the company was delighted to take on three new apprentices via training provider TTE for a period of around three and a half years.
Over 500 people applied for the Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Process Technology which will result in a BTEC National Diploma Qualification in Operations and Maintenance Engineering.Ben Johnson and Sam Singleton are working in Process Operations towards an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Processing Industries Operations.Oliver Morgan is working in Power and Control and working towards an NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Process Engineering Maintenance.
Here, Sam Singleton talks about why he chose an apprenticeship and Mexichem Fluor.
Biography
My name is Sam Singleton, I’m 17 years old and I live on the Wirral. I attend TTE (Training Tomorrow’s Engineers) which is based in Ellesmere Port and trains people to work in the petroleum and chemical sectors within the North West.
I am training to be a process engineer at Mexichem Fluor’s Runcorn site. In my spare time, I like computing and gaming.
Why did I go down the apprentice route?
After completing a week of ‘A’ level induction at my schools’ sixth form, I decided that ‘A’ levels weren’t for me. The lack of jobs for university leavers was also a worry, as was the fact that I would be riddled with student debt after graduating.
I decided to look at other options, and my cousin who also went to TTE, recommended that I had a look around. I went to an open evening and loved it. I applied, passed the test, got an interview and was accepted on the course.
What attracted me to the chemical industry and Mexichem Fluor?
The pay and the availability of jobs in the chemical industry attracted me to the sector. I was asked to have Mexichem Fluor as my sponsor company. I couldn’t believe a company like Mexichem would sponsor me and pay for my training as it costs up to £70,000, I was very pleased to accept their offer especially given the reputation of the company and its global reach.
Best/Worst Bits:
The best part of the apprenticeship is the way the Training officers talk to you like you are an adult, not a student. Getting paid also gives me much more freedom, for example, I’m learning to drive and can also buy new things like clothes and shoes.
There is a lot to fit into the course, and some of the BTEC subjects like maths are difficult, as you need to tackle a problem within a relatively short timeframe. This is a challenge but one that I’m rising to.
What have I learnt about the chemical industry?
One of the major things that I have learnt is that the chemicals industry is very safe and, you are far more likely to crash your car than for a major accident to happen on site.
I’ve also realised how much paper work there is, which helps to minimise the risk of something going wrong, and that there are a lot of rules and regulations to follow on site.
A typical day
7:30 – Get up, get showered, have breakfast, and leave for work
8:15 – Clock-in
8:35 – Go to carousel. Carousels last 3 weeks and there are 5 different carousels, which we do 3 times each. The 5 carousels are Mechanical, Fabrication, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Process.
10:00-10.20 – Break
10:20 – Back to carousel
12:00-12.35 – Lunch
12:35 – Carousel
2:00-2.20 – Break
2:20 – Carousel
4:00 – Clean-up duties (there is a rota and all trainee groups have to do clean-up. It switches from phase 1 to phase 2 from week to week, so for example, we may have to clean the canteen whilst another group brushes the corridors)
4:35 – Clock out and go home
Where do I hope to be in 10 years?
In 10 years’ time, I would like to have completed a degree and worked abroad. I would also be interested in moving in to the business side of Mexichem Fluor, for example working in HR.
