Empowering future innovators through hands-on experience and global industry expertise.
The increasing demand for skilled engineers across the UK is a well-recognised challenge, frequently discussed within the engineering and manufacturing sectors. This issue took centre stage at the recent Farnborough International Airshow (FIA), an event that highlights an industry contributing an estimated £13 billion annually to the UK economy, with significant growth anticipated in the coming years. During the airshow, the UK government introduced ‘Skills England’, an initiative aimed at creating opportunities for young people, particularly those pursuing apprenticeships. As the job market evolves rapidly, cultivating new talent in engineering is more critical than ever, making apprenticeship opportunities vital.
Carter Manufacturing is committed to fostering this new talent and is proud to share the success story of one of its own apprentice engineers, 19-year-old Jake Hopgood. Carter Manufacturing, which represents brands like UNASIS, Silverthin, and KMS Bearings, operates facilities in the UK, US, and Spain, providing global support to high-tech industries. Carter’s automated warehouse facilities utilise state-of-the-art Modula vertical storage solutions to maximise efficiency, optimise space, and eliminate picking errors.
Jake has been part of our team while pursuing a ‘Level 2 Engineering Diploma’ at Abingdon and Witney College, where he attended classes one day a week and spent the remaining four days gaining hands-on experience at Carter. Now, having completed his two-year apprenticeship, Jake reflects on his role and experiences at Carter, hoping to inspire others considering a career in engineering.
Jake’s path to engineering
Jake’s journey into engineering began early. Initially, he aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps as a builder. However, his father encouraged him to explore other opportunities, and it was Jake’s grandfather who introduced him to the field of engineering. This sparked Jake’s interest, and from that point forward, he was determined to pursue a career in the industry. Despite not having other family members in engineering, Jake’s passion grew, further fuelled by seeing several of his friends pursuing engineering apprenticeships at other companies.
Jake’s interests and experience at Carter
Jake’s interests within engineering include machining, assembly, and inspection, with a particular fondness for working with the Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM). As an apprentice at Carter Manufacturing, Jake was exposed to a wide range of tasks, including bearing and tooling assembly, machine operation, SolidWorks/CAD work, MD coating, and programming and operating various machines. His experience also included cryogenic testing of bearings using liquid nitrogen, determining radial internal clearance with the RIC rig, and receiving fire warden and health & safety training.
Jake’s role at Carter provided him with invaluable hands-on experience in a company renowned for its precision bearings and tooling, serving some of the UK’s leading high-tech industries. He had the opportunity to work on assembling hybrid bearings for cryogenic applications, lightweight slewing bearings for the defence sector, titanium bearings for competitive yacht racing, and aluminium thrust bearings for the medical sector.
Jake’s reflections and future aspirations
Reflecting on his time at Carter, Jake shares, “My apprenticeship at Carter has been a tremendous success. I started with very little knowledge, and over the past two years, I’ve learned so much. I now have skills I never imagined I would acquire.”
Looking to the future, Jake is optimistic and determined to continue advancing in his engineering career. “I hope to keep progressing, step by step, and achieve great things in engineering,” he concludes. Carter Manufacturing, is dedicated to inspiring and developing the next generation of engineers, and they are thrilled to see the progress and success of apprentices like Jake.
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