To mark National Apprenticeship Week, we speak with Calum Beltrami who has recently completed his apprenticeship at Metroline and has become a fully qualified engineer.
Calum started his engineering apprenticeship in 2020, fully qualifying as an engineer at Perivale Garage last year. Having an interest in cars from a young age, Calum knew he wanted to do something hands-on: “I thought if I could learn something hands-on and get paid whilst learning on the job, that was the best route for me. And I’ve always had an interest in cars and engines, so it just kind of made sense.”
Over the course of the 3 and a half year apprenticeship, Calum spent time learning at several garages including Harrow Weald, Potters Bar and Cricklewood, before settling at Perivale where he has been based since February. Moving between garages can prove to be challenging at times “you don’t know what you’re walking into so it can be hard settling into a new work place. It’s the uncertainty which is a bit challenging.”
However, Calum also acknowledges the benefits in working across different sites: “You get to experience a lot of different types of vehicles, and at every garage you learn different things. At my first garage, Harrow Weald, I learnt a lot of mechanical stuff but also did a bit of body work and the basics. Then I went to Potters Bar which was a bit hectic because the garage is completely different.” He adds that “moving around a lot could be a bit uncomfortable at times, but that was also a good thing because you get used to being chucked in at the deep end.”
The engineering apprenticeship helps prepare aspiring engineers for what being a fully-qualified engineer is like: “there are some similarities and some differences between being an apprentice and a qualified engineer but the ins and outs of the job are almost the same,” Calum says. “The biggest difference is that when you’re qualified you feel like there’s a lot more responsibility. As an apprentice you have a bit of a safety net, like ‘oh, you’re still learning’. But when you’re an engineer you have to be accountable for your actions. It’s important that you get things right first time as you don’t have someone checking everything.”
Like any job, engineering comes with it’s own set of challenges as well. Calum finds that “in this industry you’re always working on a deadline. So, you’re trying to get things done quickly but also properly so that buses can be on the road.” When you’re working to tight deadlines, teamwork is essential, and in engineering you’re never short of a helping hand. Praising his colleagues, Calum enjoys the working environment at Metroline: “It’s quite team-orientated, if you need a hand from colleagues, everyone’s always happy to help, including management.”
10 months into his role as a full-time engineer, Calum’s advice to anyone starting their apprenticeship is “Show up everyday, be on time and ask as many questions as you can, even if you think it’s a stupid question.”
