MY CAREER JOURNEY: LUKE OATES, FROM APPRENTICE TO RELIABILITY ENGINEER

• Why did you choose the apprenticeship route?

I was very much undecided of what I wanted to do and where to go after secondary school. I had college tours and open evenings; I attended SETA open evening and other company events to ensure I had all the information to make a choice. The main reason I chose an apprenticeship is that I would be getting paid to learn a variety of skills. I felt many of my friends just went down the college route, but I wanted to learn and earn.

• What were your most memorable moments as an apprentice at SETA?

I enjoyed many aspects of SETA, from learning Electronics to basic hand tools. Learning how to operate a Lathe was exciting, learning basic electrics and of course welding and fabricating was awesome. These were the hard skills, as for soft skills: meeting other apprentices, gaining life-long friends and life skills along the way were just as important.

• What was your next step, following the conclusion of your apprenticeship?

On completion of my apprenticeship, I was fortunate enough to obtain a shift position at the crane department workshop. I honed my skills and continued further education by completing an Engineering with Business Degree. I soon became a shift supervisor, before moving sideways to a cross functional Scheduling Engineer. Here I learned about reliability and how technology advances can impact machinery reliability. This is my current role where I head up a Global Reliability Program within Southampton.

• What have been your greatest successes?

I feel I have had many successes personally and professionally within DP World.  I was one of the first from my friends to secure a house, pass my driving test, purchase a car and I seemed to always be on holidays. Professionally, I managed some exciting innovating projects such as designing, fabricating, and wiring two bespoke lifting frames, which are now used in various terminals across the world. More recently I have enjoyed learning and coaching engineers in new cutting-edge technologies such as Thermography, Ultrasound, Oil Analysis and Vibration Analysis.

I have always been a keen advocate of the apprentice route and in the past, I have spoken at many high profile events, something I would never think I would do! But be bold and get outside your comfort zone, it’s the best place for reward.

• What advice would you give to anyone trying to find their path to a great career?

Be open, listen to all options, don’t follow the crowd, and follow what interests you. Don’t be frightened to say NO or ask for help.

Employers invest in the person not the qualifications (skills can be taught). Just do your best, it will soon be noticed!

Change what's possible, find out more about apprenticeships at DP World.