Blog from Ian Ramsey: My apprenticeship and beyond

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2023 we invited Energy & Industrial Director Ian Ramsey to write a blog for us, detailing his journey from joining an Apprentice scheme after leaving school, to his current role as a leader in KAEFER UK & Ireland .

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, I wanted to share my personal story and the impact that choosing the apprenticeship route has had on my life and career. After a difficult period in school, I was encouraged to leave and pursue a more practical approach to learning. That's when I joined Aberdeen Technical College and started a Basic Engineering course, with the goal of earning a National Certificate and finding an apprenticeship once I was old enough.

Little did I know that my lucky break was just around the corner. Six months into my college course, a representative from the ECITB visited our class and I was offered a spare place in their upcoming apprenticeship intake as a pipefitting apprentice. I jumped at the opportunity and began my 4-year apprenticeship in January 1994, starting 6 months behind the others but quickly fitting in with my fellow apprentices.

The structure and pay of the apprenticeship were major highlights for me. I received £59 per week, which was my first real pay and felt amazing. The only minor downside was the travel, as the training center was not easily accessible by public transport. However, I quickly realised that my lecturer lived near me so I convinced him to give me a lift on the back of his motorcycle, great times!

The apprenticeship taught me skills that have stayed with me for life. I matured quickly and learned at a different pace in an adult environment, which I appreciated and enjoyed being a part of. Having a trade has been a valuable skill and has helped me understand and build trust with the site teams I work with now.

My journey from apprentice to my current role as a Director at KAEFER UK & Ireland has been a timeline of hard work, additional qualifications, and experience. After completing my apprenticeship, I worked for various companies, gaining experience and adding to my qualifications, including an HND in Mechanical Engineering Design and a Business Management Degree.

My advice to those leaving compulsory education and deciding on their next step is to trust your gut instincts, apply yourself 100% and build relationships whenever possible. Over the years, I've learned the importance of a strong network, which has unintentionally grown to be a great help in my career. Don't be afraid to make mistakes and learn from them, and always aim to make a good first impression: you only get one chance!

So, to anyone who is considering the apprenticeship route, I highly recommend it. It was the best decision I ever made and opened doors for me that I never thought were possible. I hope my story inspires a new generation to take the leap and explore the opportunities that apprenticeships can offer.

Why not check out KAEFER UK & Ireland Jobs (kaeferltd.co.uk) to see the range of apprentice positions we have available this year: it could be the start of a great journey!