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Meet Ben White

Mechanical Fitting Technician

Ben is an Apprentice Mechanical Fitter at Cygnet Texkimp

What I do

My job involves assembling machines from scratch, which are used to make things like aeroplane wings and the chassis for sports cars. We go through the whole process of making the machine and sometimes installing it for the customer. The machines we make go all over the world, to Asia, Europe and America, and sometimes I get to travel to install them.

Ben working in a ventilated workshop, wearing a ventilated safety mask, and gloves.

How I became a technician

Ever since I was at school, I've loved taking things apart and putting them back together, often with my dad, who is a gas engineer. I did engineering and product design for my GCSEs, which gave me a chance to do this even more.

There was an engineering company that visited my school, and I liked the look of what they did so I applied for a mechanical maintenance apprenticeship with them.

How I became a technician

After this, I got a job Cygnet Texkimp and started my Mechanical Fitting Technician apprenticeship. I've learnt so much and even got to work on some really challenging projects.

The best part of my job is the satisfaction of seeing a machine come together from a selection of parts.
Patience is key in my job because things don't always go as planned, and we have to figure out a solution.

A typical day in my
working life

I get to work by 7:45am. We usually have a quick chat about the day's plan and then head to the shop floor. Depending on the size of the machine we're working on, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete.

A typical day in my
working life

We have a break at 10:00am, and then it's back to building all day. The lines we work on often start with raw carbon fibre, which goes through various processes, and is laid with resin to make large composite sheets which are then moulded into other things.

A typical day in my
working life

We’ve also got a machine that can decommission carbon fibre and resin materials, taking the resin out of the fibre and recycling it, which is an exciting development for us.

The best part of working in a team

Working in a team is great because you get to learn from others. There are about 20 fitters on the shop floor, and we all work together. One of my closest colleagues is Pete, who knows everything about the job. It’s really helpful to have someone with so much experience to guide you. We also have younger apprentices, so there’s a good mix of ages and skills.

Ben working on the workshop floor, using a piece of equipment and wearing safety goggles.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

The best part of my job is the satisfaction of seeing a machine come together from a selection of parts. It's amazing to see the finished product and know that it's going to be used to make something important, like aeroplane wings or car tyres, and being able to install it in different countries and seeing new places.

The skills I use the most

Patience is key in my job because things don't always go as planned, and we have to figure out a solution. Communication is also really important, making sure everyone knows what's happening when, and working together to solve problems. Being precise and careful is also crucial, especially when assembling machines that need to meet safety regulations.

My favourite piece of equipment

My favourite piece of equipment is the grinder. It's versatile and can be used for different tasks, like cutting and smoothing edges. We have different attachments for it, like a grinding wheel and a flap disc, which makes it really useful for various jobs.

What I like to do in my spare time

In my spare time, I love playing golf and seeing my friends. I also enjoy hiking and exploring new places. Living near Wales and the Peak District means there are lots of great spots for outdoor adventures. Recently, I went to Love's Church, a big ravine - it was amazing.

The advice I'd give someone younger

My advice to someone younger would be to keep your options open and don't close any doors. It's important to explore different opportunities and find what you enjoy doing.

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