At 23, Phillip Anthony has fast-tracked his career from shop floor to middle management and he is not looking back. Four years ago, after studying BTEC and A-levels in engineering at Helston college, he was offered a number of university placements.
Within the same week of having to make the decision of following a career in education he was also offered a position at the precision engineering firm, DP Engineering. “It wasn’t easy,” says Phil. “At the time, friends were all going off to study, my college was keen for me to follow them but I knew there was something about moving straight into a career in engineering that offered me more.”
Making the bold decision to go straight into work is something Phil doesn’t regret. Having consulted with DP Engineering his goals for the future, the firm knew they had an asset that was ambitious and have rewarded his enthusiasm with continual investment in training.
Funded apprenticeship schemes and managerial support has led Phil to oversee a number of major projects for the company and his rapid advancement up the career ladder is as a direct response to ongoing training.
DP Engineering’s investment in Phil will soon be rewarded again as he is starting to implement further lean manufacturing techniques which will improve the efficiency of the whole operation – subsequently offering greater business opportunities for DP Engineering.
Phil concludes: “Apprenticeships are so valuable. Cross departmental training and mentoring has afforded me a wealth of engineering and business experience I could never have got at university.
I own a house, have no student loans and know that I have a bright and secure future in manufacturing. If I was at uni, I would be graduating with none of this security – I know I chose the right route for me and encourage others to explore every route into engineering.”
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