In October Alfie Gray, an apprentice in our Equipment Hire Services (EHS) department, completed the first year of his apprenticeship. Upon reflection of his year, he felt very grateful for how supportive and welcoming the EHS team were and the opportunities he had been given.
One of the most significant milestones in his apprenticeship has been attending Reaseheath Engineering College. This opportunity has provided invaluable experiences, equipping him with new skills and building connections with individuals from across the country. Although there is a considerable distance from his base in Southampton to the college in Crewe, the three-week blocks spent there had a significant impact on Alfie’s day-to-day work. Over the past year, the college curriculum has focused on fundamental areas such as health and safety, fabrication, and the operation and maintenance of plant-based machinery. Among these, the fabrication module stood out as his favourite, offering hands-on experiences in welding, which he found particularly engaging.
Beyond college, Alfie completed additional certifications, including First Aid at Work and B2 forklift training, broadening his skill set and enhancing his versatility. He’s eager to embrace further learning opportunities and is excited to begin his second year at college. This next phase will explore advanced topics such as engine components, teardowns, and rebuilds, promising further growth and expertise.
At OSRL, his day-to-day responsibilities encompass maintenance, package assembly, and providing support wherever needed. With a passion for fabrication, particularly welding, Alfie has enjoyed working on projects where he can use these skills. A memorable achievement was contributing to a team project that involved constructing racking for a trailer destined for Ireland. Witnessing the project come to life—from initial planning to final execution—was deeply rewarding and has given him aspirations to lead similar projects independently in the future.
One of the most exciting experiences for him was a recent trip to Bantry, Ireland, to work with our client, Sonoco. This trip focused on maintenance tasks and included participation in a ro-boom deployment, a new experience for Alfie. He thoroughly enjoyed the collaborative efforts involved and valued the opportunity to gain insight into the logistics and teamwork that these trips entail.
Alfie said: “Overall, my first year has been an incredible learning experience, and I look forward to many more to come. The opportunities I’ve had feel limitless, and I’m excited about what the future holds.”