TSA Insight Magazine Issue 18 - Magazine - Page 17
JOHN WILLIAMS
Operator Apprentice
How did you come across this opportunity in the tank storage sector?
It all started from seeing the advertisement of the job on the internet. Upon reading the
job description and looking into CLH-PS, I knew this was something I needed to apply for. I
also knew it would give me the opportunity to learn about such an interesting and integral
industry to the running of the country and the world. After I attended the interview, I was
certain this was what I wanted to do and I was extremely happy when I received the call
informing me that I had got the job.
presentations put on by experts and gather information from them to learn as much as we
could. We then made a presentation for our managers back at the CATCH centre.
I learnt a lot at the TSA conference about the industry, but the main take away was just
how, together, everyone had the same goal in driving for the safest possible environment
and how willing companies were to learn from each other’s mistakes. Throughout the
journey of the apprenticeship, this has been reiterated within every single section we have
learnt from the Reynolds Team.
What was your educational or working background at the time?
I had already completed an apprenticeship in machining which I also thoroughly enjoyed,
but I still wanted to learn! I feel an apprenticeship is the best way to learn a new skill,
whilst working at the same time, and helps you grow within the team you will eventually
be joining.
What skills and competencies have you developed?
The apprenticeship has not only improved my knowledge technically and my safety
aspects of working within this industry, but also the mental capacity to deal with stresses
at work and how there are places that you can go to within the company to receive support
if working or life stress in general gets a bit too much. I also completed a three-day first aid
course which isn’t only helpful in work but in life as well, as it provides you with the skills to
respond calmly in stressful situations. I have also done a week’s engineering course taking
apart valves and small pumps to see the inner workings of the kind of equipment we will
be operating on site and covered lots of IOSH - which is a respected body within industry
- courses on working safely and mental health. The everyday learning at the CATCH centre
from the Reynolds Team has been very good and always engages, with a good balance of
allowing the student to learn from researching themselves as well as teaching the subject
to you.
How would you describe your apprenticeship journey?
The first day of the apprenticeship for me was 9th September 2019. Upon arriving at
Reynolds Training for my first day, everyone was very welcoming and the facility at the
CATCH centre was of a good standard. Within the first few weeks, I attended the TSA
conference. It was a brilliant experience to be able to talk to such knowledgeable people
from good companies, with the best reputations within the industry, so early on.
The apprentices were asked to speak to the people on the stalls and listen to the
