#NAW2022: Apprenticeships at Zentia

The first day in any job is never easy, but it can be even more intimidating when it’s your first job after education. Fortunately, here at Zentia we’ve worked with apprentices for years, guiding them through their first nerve-wracking days of work and helping them develop long and successful careers.

Zentia aims to offer new apprenticeship places every year as part of its formal apprenticeship programme, launched in October 2021. Since then, we’ve helped several apprentices learn new skills and take their first steps into the world of work.

We caught up with Nathan Hazell, Production Apprentice, to find out what it’s like to be an apprentice at Zentia.

How long have you worked at Zentia?

I started in August, so it’s been over six months now. I never thought I’d learn so much in such a short period of time, I’m really enjoying it.

What do you do, day to day?

I’m learning new things all the time. There are four different lines, so on each one I do different things. I’m usually on the end of the production line, so packing up parts.

What made you decide to take up an apprenticeship?

I left school and wanted to start making a living, I was sick of constantly asking my parents for money so that I could go out with my mates. An apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to keep learning while earning a wage. I’m here five days a week at the minute and they teach me different things every day.

What attracted you to Zentia?

I was just going through the government website one day, and I saw it and it was different to everything else. I was looking for something like an engineering role, and this is a manufacturing operator with some maintenance. I thought I’d give it a go and see if I had any luck in getting it. And I did!

What do you enjoy the most about working at Zentia?

That I’m learning so much. I like my team, too; the lads that already work here are all good, you can have a joke around while you’re working.

When you think about what Zentia might become in the future, how do you feel about it?

I feel good about it, knowing that the company is constantly looking to make new products, which means that hopefully the company will last a long time and continue to grow. As an apprentice, you’re not guaranteed a job at the end of your training, but you know that the company is going to be there awhile and there’s some security.

What would be your top three tips for somebody joining the Zentia team?

Listen to the people on your team. Make sure you’re quick at what you’re doing, because they like you to be efficient – I learned that pretty quick!

Would you recommend an apprenticeship at Zentia?

Definitely! The team you work with and the people you’ll meet throughout the process are really nice. You can have a good laugh and they help you learn. Everything I’ve learned here at Zentia has really set me up for the future.