Paul’s dedication to developing his skills, getting the best results possible for his company from improvement projects and contributing to his community were recently recognised with an award for Apprentice of the Year at the Food and Drink Federation Awards.
CV in brief Age: 26 Education: Electrical Installation Apprenticeship (Level 3), Engineering Apprenticeship (Level 3), Foundation Degree in Electronic Engineering (Level 5) Career to date: Temporary operator, Cadbury; engineering apprentice Mondelez International Hobbies and interests: Spending time with family, outdoors activity, football
What is your role and what are the main responsibilities?
I’m responsible for cost saving continuous improvement projects at Mondelez’ plants five and six in Bourneville where we make Cadbury’s Dairy Milk bars and Freddos among other products.
I’m also responsible for responding to breakdowns in the plants.
What are the key technical skills you use and what personal characteristics make you good at what you do?
I use a lot of the electrical and mechanical engineering skills gained through my apprenticeship, but really every day is just about trying to absorb as much new experience as possible. On a personal level, confidence and communication help me to do well. You need to have the confidence to try new things and since two heads are often better than one in solving a problem, you have to be able to communicate with people around you.
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
Winning the FDF Apprentice of the Year Award has to be my best moment. It came on the heels of winning the Mondelez internal award for apprentice of the year so it was a double recognition that I am very proud of. The main thing I feel the award recognised was my contribution to the Brathay Challenge which is all about giving back to the community and that is very important to me. I think gaining the award has made me more confident in my career ambitions – it certainly seems to have inspired some of the other apprentices here, many of whom have come and congratulated me at work.
What will be your next career move and do you have a grand career ambition?
I’ve just complete a foundation degree and I’d like to go on to complete the full course. I really enjoy working in plant 5 and 6, but would like to gain experience in plant 1 and 2 which have the newest production technology and are where we make the Cadbury Marvellous Creations products. Eventually I’d like to become an engineering manager and to take up the opportunities for international travel that working for a global company like Mondelez can offer – but not for a few years as I have a young family.
How do you think best to get more young people interested in manufacturing?
We need to get more young people visiting factories – at Mondelez this is supported through our Taste of Work programme. The problem is that people have very little about what does on in a factory – about the jobs in between goods coming in and products going out. Also, the learn-while-you earn proposition of apprenticeships needs to be promoted more actively in schools.
Find out more about the Food and Drink Federation Awards at bit.ly/FDFAwards2013
