JAMES DORLING

Employer: TDK-Lambda UK

James has consistently demonstrated an outstanding level of aptitude, professionalism, and dedication throughout his apprenticeship. His enthusiasm is evident every day—he arrives with a positive attitude and a genuine eagerness to learn, which has been both inspiring and appreciated by everyone around him.

James applies methodical thinking, a solid understanding of circuit diagrams, and deep technical insight to successfully resolve problems. He demonstrates advanced troubleshooting skills well beyond his years and has successfully resolved complex tasks leaving a lasting impression on our experienced engineering team. James’s contribution to TDK, goes far beyond technical skills. His coursework is consistently of an excellent standard, reflecting the same focus and determination he brings to the workplace. Since joining us directly from school, he has matured into a highly respected colleague across all areas of the business. In my 35 years at TDK, I have rarely seen such personal and professional growth. His journey from a quiet school leaver to a confident, trusted team member is an achievement in itself.

His independence and confidence have grown to the point where he often handles complex tasks without intervention. What truly sets James apart is his relentless curiosity and passion for learning. In over four decades in engineering, I have never encountered someone with such a strong drive to explore, understand, and improve. 

In every sense, James represents the very best of what an apprenticeship can achieve: technical excellence, personal growth, and a lasting, positive impact on the organisation

DREW SHEARING

Employer: Eurofins Electrical & Electronic UK Ltd

Drew has progressed exceptionally well through his apprenticeship and beyond, becoming a highly valued member of the team. Not only does he consistently complete his own work to a high standard, but he also plays an active role in training junior engineers, demonstrating both leadership and technical ability. He has gained experience across all calibration areas within his department, including transient generator calibration and DCLF measurements which require precision setups, and a deep understanding to achieve accurate results. His ability to master such technically demanding areas within just four years is truly impressive.

Calibration is a role that depends heavily on experience, given the vast range of over 100 equipment types and thousands of variations. Competence in this field requires patient learning, strong attention to detail, and a genuine drive to learn—qualities that Drew demonstrates in abundance. As a result of his skills and reliability, Drew has become a key member of the team and a vital part of the company’s future. He has been appointed as a calibration certificate signatory and is currently training to authorise new result templates for newly introduced equipment. He is also nearing the completion of his HNC qualification.

Throughout his time with us, Drew has shown a strong ability to learn and transfer knowledge, making him easy to train and highly adaptable. His capacity for technical understanding sets him apart as one of the most capable and flexible engineers in the team. His adaptability, professionalism, and commitment make him an integral part of the team and a key figure in the company’s future.

PAUL MULLEN

Employer: Krempel Industries

My endorsement for Paul recognises an often overlooked yet vital aspect of apprenticeships: the importance of engaging with young people before they even begin their journey. As “without a spark, there can be no fire”—and he’s dedicated himself to igniting that spark in the next generation.

Paul’s outreach begins as early as primary school, where he introduces engineering and problem-solving through fun, interactive activities like the Spaghetti Challenge. Supported by Krempel, Paul visits schools of all abilities across North Devon to inspire curiosity, creativity, and an early interest in engineering careers. This early engagement is complemented by Paul’s active involvement in school careers evenings and open events at Krempel. Drawing on his own experiences, he speaks passionately about the value and potential of apprenticeships—sharing real stories that help students and parents see the clear, achievable path they provide. Paul also plays a key role as the STEM lead in the NDMA helping to promote apprenticeships from primary school up to colleges and Universities.

His philosophy is simple but powerful: the more we promote and deliver apprenticeships in North Devon, the more we all benefit as employers.

In addition to his outreach work, Paul also plays a key role in supporting apprentices within Krempel, offering hands-on technical guidance and CAD training. His commitment ensures that new talent is not only inspired—but continuously supported and developed. When asked what he enjoys most about his work, Paul’s answer was clear: “Seeing a spark in someone’s eye and knowing you’ve connected with them.” That drive underpins everything he does.

TEX PLASTICS

At Tex Plastics, we are a market leader in plastics manufacturing with operations in both the Midlands and the Southwest of England. While the Southwest presents unique recruitment challenges—particularly in attracting industry-specific knowledge and skills—we’ve developed a successful strategy to overcome them through apprenticeships.

Working in partnership with the Engineering Trust Training, we have created a tailored in-house apprenticeship programme designed specifically for the needs of our highly specialised sector. These programmes enable us to build engineering and maintenance pathways that directly support the business, ensuring our operations remain cutting-edge and adaptable to evolving industry demands.

Apprenticeships at Tex are more than just training—they’re a strategic approach to closing skills gaps, fostering a culture of succession planning, and developing loyal, motivated talent. Although engineering isn’t traditionally at our core, technical skills are vital to our success, and we fully recognise their importance. Our approach is both cost-effective and long-term, building a pipeline of skilled individuals who not only contribute to current productivity and innovation but are also nurtured to become the managers and leaders of tomorrow. We instil our core values of respect, openness, and integrity from day one, creating an environment where apprentices are supported and encouraged through every stage of their journey.

Tex Barnstaple is proud to lead by example. Our focus on learning and development empowers team members to grow within their current roles and take on new responsibilities—essential in a region with limited skilled labour. By developing internal capability, we’ve enhanced technical skills across the business and increased flexibility, improving operational performance in areas such as scrap reduction, machine utilisation, and overall efficiency.