Jamie Williams-Hudson

Jamie Williams-Hudson from Newton Aycliffe enjoys mountain biking, playing his guitar and soccer. When he's not participating in these pursuits, the 19-year-old is working towards his career goal of becoming a qualified forklift engineer. He says that while learning new things will always be a challenge, that is what he loves about the apprenticeship: "Every day is different and I'm always ready for a challenge."

It all started when Jamie's guitar teacher suggested he apply for an apprenticeship with German forklift manufacturer Linde Material Handling.

"My guitar teacher works for Linde and his job sounded really interesting.

"I had applied for numerous other jobs in the past and hadn't had much luck in finding a trade that I was really passionate about," Jamie explains. "I was so happy when I was accepted onto the Linde apprenticeship programme, and couldn't wait to get my foot on the career ladder."

The second-year apprentice currently spends his days working alongside a qualified service engineer - "shadowing" him.

"[I'm learning] how to remove and refit different components on trucks. Although I'm shadowing, I do spend a majority of my time doing hands-on work."

The apprenticeship for Jamie's forklift maintenance and repair qualification lasts four years. During the first three years, Jamie works on-site and attends college once a week. "I am currently attending Darlington Technical College once a week, where I study light vehicle and maintenance. Going to college is great and the course really provides us with thorough insights into the technicalities, electronics, hydraulics, chassis and fabrication of forklifts."

He also has the opportunity to meet other Linde apprentices from across the UK.

"I also attend a one-week course two to three times a year with Linde's other apprentices from across the UK at North Warwickshire and Hinckley College. This is where we learn about forklift maintenance and repair, along with learning the differences between light vehicles and forklifts.

"It's great meeting up with the other apprentices as we have so much in common, and we all share the same career goals."

Jamie has already been trained on a variety of forklifts, including engine and electric counterbalance trucks, reach and pallet trucks. His favourite trucks to work with are the diesel and gas varieties as he enjoys the mechanical aspects of the tasks.

"The fourth year is only spent on site, where we really get to grips with a five-day working week. I'm really looking forward to this and can't wait until I'm a qualified engineer," he enthuses.

Asked what he likes most about his apprenticeship, Jamie says it is the countrywide travel and new people he meets on a daily basis.

"This is unlike any other job I had thought of doing in the past and I'm so happy that I'm already starting an excellent career within the industry. It's great that I get an opportunity to earn as I learn and the program has really put me in good stead for a career within the forklift industry."

Linde Material Handling's forklift technician apprentice scheme is developed in partnership with the Fork Lift Truck Association and managed by specialist training and recruitment agency REMIT. Apprentices are based at a Linde site or in a customer's depot. Forkliftaction.com News wishes Jamie - and all other forklift apprentices - the very best in their career journey!