Huge congratulations to Penn Elcom's Mark Humes! Mark has recently passed his four-year apprenticeship to become a toolmaker for us in Washington, UK. Mark started as a machine operator at the age of 27 and at 38 years of age he went back to college.
Mark said:
"I have worked at Penn Elcom for 15 years. I started in the press shop when the factory was at Armstrong Industrial Estate. I was given the opportunity there to work in the tool room. I learnt all the machines, stripping tools down for insert changes and repairs.
About 5 years ago, I was chosen to begin going to college at Sunderland Engineering Training Association (S.E.T.A) to underpin my knowledge and improve my skills. I spent eight months and five days per week job training, learning the machines and their safety; including manual engineering work, CNC milling, turning, bench fitting & Workshop Health and Safety. I then returned to the site and went on day release for the following 3 years. The qualification I gained was Level 2 in mechanical machinery engineering. I finished S.E.T.A as a level 3 Engineering Technician (toolmaker and tool and die maintenance technician).
I really enjoyed the experience of learning new machinery skills & meeting other engineer apprentices. My least favourite part was maths specifically algebra... I am not the best at maths! Through the course, I learnt many new skills to improve my machinery knowledge, awareness of Health and Safety and the working environment regarding mechanical machinery."
Well done Mark, a great achievement!
