We asked Brandon Palmer our Deputy Chief Inspector for his take on his time as an apprentice at Tridan Engineering…
Here is Brandon`s journey.
Introduction
Before I started my apprenticeship at Tridan I was working as a customer assistant at McDonald`s to help get me through my A-levels and to pay for my travel to Colchester every day. I struggled a lot with the workload and fitting in with the other academics at the sixth form. After only just passing my A-levels and having to re-sit parts of my first year I knew I didn’t want to go to university, mainly because I wanted to start working and gaining experience rather than continue education.
I was really lacking in self-confidence coming out of sixth form having not made many friends as well as struggling academically, so I decided to go down the apprenticeship route.
From a young age I’ve wanted to work in engineering, more specifically automotive engineering. I watched top gear as a kid, so it was a big moment of pride when the Aston Martin Valkyrie went around the track after working on parts for the car at Tridan.
So, I began looking for engineering apprenticeships in my local area. Tridan had an engineering apprenticeship, but I also applied for other types of apprenticeship. A mechanical apprenticeship at Porsche and a project management apprenticeship with Essex County Council. When I got the call to tell me I got the job at Tridan I was overjoyed, I felt like I had landed my dream job.
Level 2
I started my apprenticeship at Tridan the Monday after my 18th birthday alongside 2 other apprentices and a CNC Operator.
During the first week of my apprenticeship, we had our induction where we learnt the basics of our job like using manual measuring equipment, verniers, micrometres etc and how to finish parts.
After our inductions we were split off into different sections in the factory, I started in the engineering labouring department. During this time, I learnt how to deburr, pack and visually check components for conformity.
This then led to an opportunity for me to move into the inspection department and become an apprentice quality inspector. I was thrilled with this opportunity and to take on the extra responsibility and progress my career.
Upon moving into the inspection department one of the senior inspectors Paul Vaclavik took me under his wing and trained me to utilise all the equipment as well as produce quality documentation like FAIRs.
Mike Newman the Quality Manager took a hands-on approach to my training and showed me the quality assurance side of the business such as auditing and non-conformance reports. With the help of Paul and Mike I progressed quickly in my training as a quality inspector.
During my day release at college, I learnt more about how materials behave during machining and the different manufacturing techniques that exist, like Turning, Milling and 3D printing. I also learnt how to operate a manual milling machine and a manual lathe.
It was during these two years as a Level 2 apprentice that I had to do a stint on the shop floor as a machine operator/setter. Here I learnt what the machinists do on a day-to-day basis which still helps me to this day as an inspector.
During my second year all the apprentices got to go to the MACH show to broaden our knowledge of the manufacturing sector.
We saw what the machines are capable of manufacturing. MACH was an educational experience. I got to see other types of machines that we don’t have at Tridan as well as what the work we do goes towards. It was at MACH where I learnt about Optical Measuring equipment, what it can do for us and the time it can save as an inspector. We then got our own Optical Measuring device at Tridan a few years later.
Level 3
In my 3rd year of my apprenticeship, I completed my level 3 qualifications. These qualifications allowed me to focus more on the quality control that I was working on day to day.
This allowed me to deepen my understanding of the role as well as learn new facets of my role as a quality control inspector, for example there was a unit where we learnt about CAD CAM software (Auto Desk Inventor). This stood me in good stead when I learnt how to program the CNC CMMs within my department, as it gave me valuable transferable skills. College gave the background knowledge to succeed in my role, while doing my job and the mentors I worked with provided the necessary practical skills.
During my third year I took on a variety of new challenges and responsibilities, for example, I was put in charge of setting up the new matrix system to house and manage our gauging requirements. This took me weeks to set up and I’m still in charge of it today. Furthermore, I was taught how to calibrate the gauges going into the matrix as well as all the other measurement equipment we calibrate in house.
I was added to the audit team alongside Paul Coupland (Operations Manager), Mike Newman (Quality Manager) and Sue Ling (Quality Administrator). This helped me to gain a more in depth understanding of ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and AS9100. The industry standards that we work to at Tridan. Furthermore, it allowed me to experience working away from home for the first time, when Paul C and I went to Exeter for 3 days to audit 2 treatment suppliers.
This allowed me to gain valuable interpersonal skills that I can carry forward throughout my career. It was also during this time that I learnt to drive. After driving around on a moped for the first couple of years of my apprenticeship I felt it was time to take the next step and learn to drive. I spent my third and fourth year taking lessons between college and work to eventually pass my driving test in January 2020. After this I bought my first car, a Peugeot 206 which quickly became a regular feature in the works car park. Although my newly found independence was short lived as COVID-19 hit later that same year. Since then, I have gone through a few cars and now I’ve upgraded to an Audi. none of which would have been possible without the opportunities I was given at Tridan.
Level 4
After a year’s break upon finishing my Level 3, I decided it was time to continue my education and start my HNC in electrical engineering. During my HNC I learnt about the industry in greater depth as well as how to manage projects effectively. Furthermore, I learnt about new facets of engineering, for example robotics and PLCs. Overall, it was a great experience where I was able to interact with new people and learn new things.
Although my first year was heavily disrupted by COVID-19 and I found this difficult as we weren’t allowed in the classroom, but it did mean that we had to rely on figuring out answers to potential questions ourselves. Although this is a valuable skill to have, it was a difficult one to master.
During this time the Chief Inspector that had been there since I started decided to retire and Paul Vaclavik took over as Chief Inspector.
At this point the department started looking into a new quality apprenticeship. However, a new apprentice couldn’t start until the new academic year, so we were running with just 2 inspectors. This was a busy time for the department, but it allowed me to develop my inspection and time management skills in a faster paced environment. It also allowed me to take on more responsibilities as there would be occasions when I would be the main inspector, and I would have the final say on quality decisions.
After the completion of my HNC and apprenticeship there was a graduation ceremony. This was an incredibly proud moment for me and my entire family as I was the first in my family to graduate from any kind of university course. It felt genuinely amazing to finish my apprenticeship and graduate as a qualified engineer.
Conclusion
After completing my apprenticeship with Tridan I am now the Deputy Chief Inspector. My apprenticeship gave me the skills I needed to progress and succeed in my career and personal life.
Due to my career, I have grown more self-assured and confident both in my personal and work life. During my apprenticeship, I have made friends for life both from college and work. I met my partner because I took this apprenticeship!
This job has given me many opportunities in and out of work, for example this year I will finally be buying my own home and moving out of my parents!
This whole experience has given me the drive to strive to be a better person every day, not just at work but in all aspects of my life. It has been a lot of hard work up to this point and I know there is just as much hard work ahead of me, but I love what I do.
In conclusion, I do consider myself a success story for apprenticeships as a whole and would highly recommend people to do an apprenticeship if they get the opportunity, especially if they know what sector they want to go into.
Brandon Palmer – February 2025
