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Having completed a three-year Level 3 Mechanical Apprenticeship Dan is employed by The Hex Group as a Maintenance Engineer and is now working towards his Level 4 Electrical Apprenticeship. Dan tells his story of finishing school, apprenticeships, employment and choosing a career path.

“I went to school at The JCB Academy and it was there I learnt about the apprenticeship options available at Alpha Manufacturing and Bri-Stor Systems. The apprenticeship programme offered the ability to work, learn and earn being the perfect option for me. My application was successful and in September 2017 I started my Level 3 Mechanical Apprenticeship at Alpha Manufacturing, a division of The Hex Group.”

The Hex Group three-year programme involves placements at both The JCB Academy and Alpha Manufacturing or Bri-Stor Systems. In Year One apprentices attends The JCB Academy for 4 days and 1 day work placement. Year Two it switches to a 4-day work placement and 1 day at The JCB Academy and the final year is 5 days’ work placement.

“The apprenticeship programme is a fantastic platform for learning a multitude of skills and experiencing a wide range of departments. By seeing every function of the business, you understand how each process impacts the next.   Had I not experienced the maintenance team I would have never realised this is where my passion and interests are.”

All first-year apprentices get the opportunity to attend a week’s team building in Elan Valley, Wales. Dan shares his team building experience from 2018 “The week included a variety of activities including canoeing, raft building, orienteering and rock climbing to name a few. All the activities really got us working together both as a team and friends. It was a fantastic week and I have great memories from it.”

Towards the end of the apprenticeship a career-route is chosen, and apprentices consider further education. As Dan explains: “In July 2020 I completed my apprenticeship and was offered a full-time position within the Group Maintenance Team. Thrilled to be offered this position I obviously accepted straight away. Later that year I enrolled onto the EAL Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification for electrical installation and maintenance, at Stafford college and within the company I successfully completed a Scissor Lift and Mobile Boom course gaining my licence in both. In 2021 I decided to begin a 4-year Electrical Apprenticeship which will see me become a fully qualified electrician. I am currently in my second year and making fast progress.”

Dan’s ambition and drive to further his career is testament to his can-do approach and he is going from strength to strength in the Maintenance Team. Currently responsible for the electrical installations throughout the Group, material ordering, preventative/reactive maintenance on machinery and forms part of the weekend call-out team.

With plans to complete a Level 2 Network and Fibre Optic Cabling course, Dan continues to show that there is no limit to the opportunities available to The HEX Group.