This National Apprenticeship Week, we wanted to shine a light on one of the apprentices we have working here at ROCOL.
Following completing his A-Levels, Taylor Duckworth joined the Technical Department as an Apprentice Development Chemist in September 2020. Taylor combines working at ROCOL with studying for a degree in Chemistry at the University of Bradford. Now 18 months into a four-year apprenticeship, we catch up with Taylor to find out more about his apprenticeship.
How have the last 18 months been?
It’s been really good and constantly different. There are always new challenges, problems to fix and things to learn, which means that I’m always being pushed and working on things I probably wouldn’t have the opportunity to if I had gone down the university route. The team at ROCOL have all been really helpful and supportive, it’s been great.
I started working at ROCOL when homeworking was the norm. The Technical team have been on-site throughout, but people are now slowly returning to the office. It’s been great to finally meet people who have just been a face on a screen until this point.
What were you expecting when you started the apprenticeship?
I was very open-minded as to what it would involve. To be honest, I expected to be helping with small bits and pieces and to be a bit of a spare part at first. In fact, it hasn’t been anything like that. At first, I was assisting on a range of work, but now I have my projects to run, I deal with customer problems and, if it is an issue I have dealt with before, I will work on the solution on my own.
What would you say to someone considering an apprenticeship?
I’d say that they should do their research and make sure that the role and company that they want to join align with their goals and aspirations. An apprenticeship is fantastic as it means you will have four years of experience in the role by the time you qualify.
You need to know that there is a lot to juggle during the apprenticeship. You have work, study and life outside of those to balance. It’s not always easy, but it is worth it. An apprenticeship may not suit everyone, but I’m loving every minute of it.
