Celebrating Apprenticeship Week 2025, we’ve had the pleasure of meeting with four promising apprentices from Eastgate Engineering who are based at Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
McKenzie Harris, in the final months of his apprenticeship, was studying electrical installation at a local college in Teeside when he was selected for a week-long placement with Eastgate Engineering. His dedication and eagerness to learn earned him a permanent apprenticeship position.
Reese Lowes, also an Electrical Apprentice, followed a similar path to McKenzie and is now two years into his apprenticeship. Cameron Allison, an Electrical Apprentice of three years, was introduced to the engineering industry and its various career paths by a family friend.
Aimee Arnell joined Eastgate 1.5 years ago as an Instrumentation Apprentice, inspired by her father, who has been an electrical supervisor for over a decade. Aimee and her fellow apprentices enjoy hands-on learning and the expertise shared by their experienced colleagues.
They believe that companies benefit from apprentices as they bring innovative ways of thinking, enthusiasm, and new skills, such as AI and emerging technologies, to existing work processes. Growing the next generation of the workforce demonstrates a long-term commitment to all stakeholders, the industry, and the individuals who can be shaped according to the company’s values and principles.
The apprentices believe, that attracting the young generation to the sector involves outreach to local educational institutions, organising open evenings, career fairs and apprenticeship events, and sending the right messages via appropriate digital channels. Highlighting the benefits of earning while learning can also entice this new workforce.
Collectively, the team enjoys their apprenticeships and feels this path is beneficial to all parties involved, both in the short and long term. They encourage anyone considering becoming an apprentice to take the plunge.
