JAMIE RYAN

Employer: Condition Monitoring Technology Group (CMTG)

Jamie has demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism, and determination throughout his apprenticeship within the Aerospace Department. Since joining the business, he has developed an excellent understanding of testing processes across a wide range of products and has consistently exceeded expectations in every aspect of his role. His enthusiasm for learning and willingness to take on new challenges have enabled him to progress beyond routine testing into fault-finding and diagnostics, working alongside senior engineers to further develop his technical expertise.

Jamie’s strong work ethic is evident in everything he does. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure customer deadlines are met, making full use of his working hours and regularly volunteering additional time to support both the team and the wider business. His proactive attitude, reliability, and professionalism have earned him the respect of colleagues across the department.

What truly sets Jamie apart is his genuine passion for continuous improvement. He has developed much of his knowledge through curiosity, asking thoughtful questions, and actively seeking opportunities to expand his skills. Jamie absorbs new information quickly and has a real thirst for learning, which has accelerated both his technical ability and personal development.

Over the past two years, Jamie has grown into a confident, dependable, and highly valued member of the Aerospace team. His journey is a fantastic example of what an apprenticeship can achieve, combining technical excellence, personal growth, and a lasting positive contribution to the business.

JOSH PARR

Employer: Condition Monitoring Technology Group (CMTG)

Josh has demonstrated exceptional growth throughout his apprenticeship, developing into a trusted and highly capable member of the production team. During this time, he has become the organisation’s go-to expert on the Beran Plant Condition Monitoring System (PCMS), a specialist product now being deployed across power stations throughout Europe. His technical knowledge and confidence have enabled him to take ownership of the product from assembly and programming through to final testing, consistently delivering work to a high standard.

Josh has shown remarkable independence and professionalism, managing his own workload with minimal supervision while working directly with project managers and hardware and software engineers on bespoke customer solutions. His ability to communicate effectively across departments and take responsibility for complex projects has made him an invaluable member of the team. As a result of his expertise, the operations management team has been able to focus on other key business priorities, knowing the PCMS product range is in capable hands.

Alongside his day-to-day responsibilities, Josh has played an important role in developing others by training a new permanent member of the production team, demonstrating strong leadership potential and a willingness to share his knowledge. As part of his college studies, he also designed and developed a new piece of test hardware for the PCMS range, an innovation that will improve efficiency and save valuable time once implemented into daily operations.

Josh’s technical ability, initiative, and commitment to continuous improvement have positioned him for the next stage of his career as he transitions into the Customer Support team. His journey highlights the significant impact an apprentice can have on both business performance and innovation, making him an excellent example of apprenticeship success.

BILLY SPRATT

Employer: Systems Engineering and Assessment Ltd (SEA)

Billy has been an integral part of SEA’s apprenticeship programme throughout his career, supporting and mentoring production apprentices from the very beginning of their journey. As both a line manager and mentor, he has consistently encouraged apprentices to build confidence, remain curious, and never be afraid to ask questions. His passion for developing people extends far beyond technical training, ensuring every apprentice feels valued and supported regardless of the career path they choose.

One example that perfectly reflects Billy’s character occurred in 2025, when a business apprentice spoke negatively about their own contribution, believing they were less important than the engineering apprentices. Billy immediately challenged this perception, reinforcing that every role within SEA is equally important to the success of the business. This simple but powerful moment embodied SEA’s One SEA Team value, demonstrating Billy’s unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every apprentice feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

Beyond mentoring individuals, Billy has played a key role in shaping SEA’s apprenticeship programme. He has helped develop a comprehensive three-year training pathway that gives production apprentices valuable experience across both mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines. This innovative approach allows apprentices to explore different areas of engineering, discover where their strengths lie, and make informed decisions about their future careers. Billy also actively supports the wider apprenticeship programme by regularly attending Engineering Trust Training meetings at North Devon College, where he contributes ideas and constructive feedback to continuously improve the experience for both apprentices and employers.

Billy’s dedication to mentoring, programme development, and the personal success of every apprentice has had a lasting impact on both individuals and the organisation. His ability to inspire confidence, promote inclusion, and continually improve the apprenticeship experience makes him a truly deserving recipient of the Above and Beyond award.

HOBART MANUFACTURING UK

Hobart has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to apprenticeships, building a programme that has developed skilled engineers while creating a sustainable pipeline of talent for the business. Over the past 14 years, the company has invested in apprentices across Fabrication, Mechanical Assembly, and the Machine Shop, with the majority progressing into permanent roles. Every apprentice benefits from a structured development pathway, combining Level 3 BTEC and NVQ qualifications with opportunities to progress to HNCs, foundation degrees, and degree apprenticeships. The business goes beyond standard training by providing additional support, including private tutoring where required, specialist technical courses, and dedicated mentoring to ensure every apprentice has the opportunity to succeed.

A defining strength of Hobart's programme is its culture of progression. Former apprentices have advanced into key positions throughout the organisation, including Manufacturing Engineering, Design Engineering, Production Management, and Plant Leadership. The journey of the current Plant Manager, who began as a fabrication apprentice before progressing through higher education into senior leadership, perfectly demonstrates the opportunities available. Similar success stories can be seen through apprentices such as Adam Wilkie, Jamie Light, Vlad Mereuta, and Jack Branch, each of whom has continued to develop through internal promotions, higher-level qualifications, and increasing responsibility. Apprentices are supported throughout their journey with regular one-to-one mentoring, structured reviews, and access to experienced engineers who actively encourage continuous learning and personal development.

The impact of Hobart's apprenticeship programme extends far beyond individual success. By investing in internal talent, the business has developed a highly skilled, flexible workforce capable of supporting production, innovation, and long-term growth. Apprentices have contributed to process improvements, new technologies, capital investment projects, and operational efficiencies, helping reduce costs while improving productivity and quality. With dedicated mentors, clear career pathways, and a genuine commitment to developing people, Hobart has created an apprenticeship programme that not only transforms individual careers but also strengthens the future of the business. It is a programme built on long-term investment, continuous improvement, and a belief that developing people is fundamental to achieving lasting success