Engineers help to shape the world – from space exploration to planes, cars, bridges, gaming and the environment. At PTI our teams are a diverse group of people, all with the same goal – to find new and innovative solutions to the challenges of today…and tomorrow.
This National Careers Week is the ideal time to spotlight the opportunities and the rewards a career in engineering can bring. PTI’s Pete Reynolds who is now a Continuous Improvements Engineer has overcome several challenges in his engineering journey. He’s shared his experience plus a few tips for anyone considering their first, or next step.
Look forward, stay positive
“By the age of 16, I knew engineering was for me and I originally wanted to join the Royal Navy as a marine or missile engineer. When I didn’t get through, that devastating. But setbacks can often lead to other paths and it’s important to always look forward and stay positive,” he said.
In the early years of his career, the economic climate meant that jobs were becoming scarce. Pete’s formal training was cut short as he made a move.
“I passed my first year of City & Guilds training but there were redundancies and I was very worried I might not have a job. Then I took up another offer, still working in engineering and machining environments but it was 14 years before I undertook any qualifications again.
“By the time I was 30, I wanted to push myself and get more qualifications but it was hard. At the time, there was a demanding job in a wire eroding company as well as a young family and a busy home life. I enrolled on a City & Guilds Cad Cam and Design course which I loved and passed but it wasn’t easy to juggle it all. If you’re young, I’d say push yourself as hard as you can because you’ll reap the benefits later.”
I’ve never looked back
Soon after, Pete joined PTI. He’s been a valued member of the PTI team for over 20 years and he hasn’t looked back, he says.
“Since I came to PTI, I’ve never looked back. There’s been new opportunities and I’ve been able to develop and enhance my skills in all sorts of ways,” he added.
“I’ve passed ILM management training level 3 and improved business techniques courses which have really helped me. Going back to college it was surprising how much easier I found it to learn compared with when I was younger. As you get older, you realise time & opportunities are more important than ever before.”
Satisfaction, encouragement, investment
“There’s a great deal of satisfaction and pride to be had from seeing the younger members of the team develop. I help Chloe and Adam train on the spline grinding section. They both have great work ethics and skills that will take them far and I will do whatever I can to help them get there.
“I feel like we are part of an amazing project. There’s a bright future for us here and the whole team is on this journey right now. We are going places. We’ve had and are having lots of investment, the right people in the right areas and the right mentality. What’s most important is the apprenticeship schemes because without the young, there is no future.”
Pete is also planning for his next qualifications
“I would like to develop more by undertaking the next level Six Sigma belt (Green Belt). Then I would like eventually to complete the Black belt. I would like however to use what I have learnt in my current role as I feel there is much more to do before then.“
And he has encouragement and advice for anyone thinking about work-related qualifications
“To any others who are thinking about a qualification, do it! Push yourself then keep pushing, put all the energy you can into learning & enhancing all your skills.”
