Plate Welding Apprentice
Location: Bristol (Ashton House)
Sector/Business unit: Marine
My apprenticeship, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
Babcock stood out to me when I was looking for a welding apprenticeship because of the size of the company and the opportunities that come with it. There are plenty of ways to develop your skills and progress your career, as well as the chance to work at different sites and potentially travel internationally.
I chose Babcock over other companies because of the communication and professionalism shown throughout the recruitment process. Every stage was clearly communicated, and I always received updates on what would happen next. This was really reassuring and demonstrated that the company values its people.
Another reason I picked Babcock is the standard of work. The nature of what we build means everything must be completed to a very high standard, so being trained to weld at that level gives me a strong foundation for my future career.
My favourite part of the programme:
My favourite part of the programme is the opportunity to take part in big events. As apprentices, we complete a certain number of ‘STEM hours’ by helping in schools or at events with young people to show them the opportunities available in science, technology, engineering and maths. It can be so rewarding to introduce people, especially young girls, to the engineering world.
As a large company, Babcock is involved in a variety of high-profile events. Because we have two virtual welding machines at the Bristol site, we are often invited to support events such as the House of Commons and the Farnborough International Airshow. If you show a genuine interest in these events, people do notice and remember to include you in future. It’s rewarding to feel recognised and appreciated for the effort you put in.
My most rewarding project/experience:
As first-years, we were asked to design and produce a memorial piece for Remembrance Day 2027.
This project gave us the opportunity to work with a range of teams and stakeholders that we would not normally interact with. Our design also meant we had to use different fabrication processes like freehand plasma cutting and stainless-steel welding that we did not have much experience with, but were excited to improve our skills in.
Because we were asked to do this early in our apprenticeship (September 2025), it was quite nerve-racking, as we felt we didn’t have the skills or knowledge yet to make an impressive piece of work that everyone would like. However, once we saw the finished product, we were really impressed with how it came out and now feel a lot more confident in our own abilities.
My work-life balance:
I have a great work-life balance. Our production shifts start at 07:30, which was difficult to adapt to at first, but once you get into the routine, you really start to appreciate the early finishes. Having more time in the evenings gives me the opportunity to relax, take part in activities, or get household jobs done.
Babcock also pays apprentices a competitive salary, which helps cover the cost of living and allows you to enjoy life outside of work without worrying too much about money.
My development:
I work closely with my manager and know I can always ask for advice on a weld or project I’m working on. There are also plenty of opportunities across the company to develop new skills and broaden my experience. Through the STEM and social teams, I can volunteer to help organise events and get involved in different activities across the business.
