February 10, 2025

For National Apprenticeship Week 2025, we sit down with Nathaniel Richards, our Mobile Engineering Apprentice, to find out about his role and what advice he’d give to school leavers.

You can also find FAQs on engineering apprenticeships further down.

Q: Could you introduce yourself and your role at Anabas, please?

A: I’m Nathaniel, I’m the Mobile Engineering Apprentice at Anabas and I’ve been in this role for three years now.

Q: What are some of the tasks you carry out?

A: In the later years of my apprenticeship, I’ve been given a lot more freedom. I’ll be sent out to sites by myself occasionally to help and support – for example, with plumbing, light fixtures and access points.

Even if it’s just a door that’s slamming and causing too much noise, we try to help the client in any way possible.

Q: Do you prefer the practical or the theory work?

A: Practical definitely appeals more to me. And as I do practical every day, it really helps a lot with the theory side as well – they go hand in hand. There are also things from the theory I can bring to my practical knowledge, too. They help each other a lot.

Q: What has surprised you about your engineering apprenticeship?

A: I’d say my own personal confidence growth, because now I can approach a client and tell them what’s wrong [with a particular issue].

If they ask about an issue, I can explain it – the quotes, what they need, the processes involved, how long it will take, and what facilities will be affected. I can approach them on my own without any support.

But before, when I started, I’d probably be a bit shy, a bit nervous to do that!

Q: Do you have any advice for would-be apprentices?

A: I would say an apprenticeship is 100% the way forward, as you get experience of a real-world job that you’ll never get just straight out of uni – fresh, let loose in the world!

With an engineer apprenticeship, you gradually transition into it and you’re learning at the same time. It’s almost like you’ve been doing the full job by the end of it.

Engineering apprenticeship jobs

For the latest Anabas vacancies, including apprenticeship positions, check our careers page.

FAQs on an engineering apprenticeship

How long is an engineering apprenticeship?

It varies, as degree apprenticeships could run between three and six years, while an advanced apprenticeship could take as little as one or two years.

What qualifications do you need for an engineering apprenticeship?

These vary depending on the role, but engineering apprenticeships often require A-level qualifications in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

How to get an engineering apprenticeship?

It all starts with an application, usually submitted alongside your CV and covering letter. Make sure to include any relevant experience or qualifications, whether that’s school qualifications or work experience.

It also helps to demonstrate your interest in the role, if there are any engineering publications or TV shows you follow, for example. Note these points down on prompt cards to help prepare for an interview, too.

What can you expect to learn during an engineering apprenticeship?

While engineering apprenticeships cover a huge range of disciplines, each offering unique skills and theory, there are a lot of similarities. Engineer apprenticeships tend to focus on innovating, creating and maintaining products and processes.

An apprenticeship in engineering with Anabas develops your practical and problem-solving skills in areas such as plumbing and electrics. No two days are the same!

Who will support you during an apprenticeship?

At Anabas, you’re assigned a mentor from day one. Your mentor is much more than just a go-to for any questions or concerns – they also offer one-to-one guidance, wellbeing support and opportunities to network.

If your apprenticeship is provided through an external training provider, you’ll also have their support on the course specifics such as exams.

How will your performance be evaluated in the role?

The wide variety of disciplines within engineering means performance evaluation is completely dependent on the specialism in question. But all apprenticeships should map out what practical skills and theory knowledge is developed at each stage of the course and also how these will be assessed.

This information will be shared with you ahead of starting a course, followed by regular check-ins so you and your mentor know which stage you’re at, what’s next and what’s required.