Quality is central to precision engineering, from checking components and interpreting engineering drawings to making sure products meet customer requirements. Developing the people who support these processes is essential to maintaining high standards.
Kory is currently undertaking a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship at NEIDA, building specialist knowledge and practical experience within the Quality team. His journey with NEIDA began with a T Level in Engineering and an industry placement, where he discovered an interest in Quality and gained experience that has helped shape his engineering career.
Kory chose a T Level in Engineering to combine technical learning with practical workplace experience.
As part of his course, Kory completed his industry placement at NEIDA, gaining experience within a precision engineering and manufacturing environment. The placement gave him insight into how components are produced and the importance of Quality throughout the manufacturing process.
“I chose a T Level as I thought it would be the right balance of hands-on and work experience, as well as learning everything you need to know.”
Kory, Quality Practitioner Apprentice, NEIDA, Stoke-on-Trent
During his placement, Kory gained insight into different areas of engineering and became particularly interested in Quality. He enjoyed seeing components being manufactured and then checking that they had been produced to the required specifications. Measuring components and understanding how their quality is assessed showed him the level of accuracy and attention to detail required within precision engineering.
Kory also developed practical skills, including using inspection equipment such as a shadow graph. He improved his understanding of engineering drawings and the symbols used to communicate important information about components.
It was this combination of technical knowledge, measurement and inspection that made Quality stand out to him.
The experience helped Kory understand that Quality could provide the type of technical and practical work he wanted to pursue.
“I chose Quality because when I was here on industry placement, it interested me the most. I got to learn new things within the area, such as how to read the drawings and use equipment I hadn’t used or seen before.”
Kory, Quality Practitioner Apprentice, NEIDA, Stoke-on-Trent
Following his T Level, Kory returned to NEIDA as a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprentice.
A Quality Practitioner Apprentice develops the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to support quality within an engineering and manufacturing environment. This can include inspecting components, using measurement and inspection equipment, interpreting engineering drawings, maintaining quality documentation and helping identify and resolve quality issues.
Kory is already gaining experience across these areas as part of his role within the Quality team.
His responsibilities include checking components to make sure they meet the required standards before they are delivered to customers. He also works with documentation such as material certificates and raises issues when requirements have not been met so they can be investigated and resolved.
This allows Kory to contribute to the day-to-day Quality function while continuing to develop his own skills through his apprenticeship.
Kory is looking forward to continuing his development through his Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship, gaining experience and taking on new challenges within the Quality team.
His journey demonstrates how an industry placement can help young people understand the different career opportunities available within engineering and manufacturing.
For Kory, the experience he gained during his T Level helped him discover Quality and provided the foundation for progressing into an apprenticeship at NEIDA.
“I am looking forward to getting started in my career as an engineer, as I’ve wanted to be one for ages. I am excited to help the company and make sure the parts that are going out are good quality.”
Kory, Quality Practitioner Apprentice, NEIDA, Stoke-on-Trent
T Levels and apprenticeships both provide routes into skilled careers, but the balance between learning and working is different.
T Level: 80% learning, 20% industry placement
Students spend around 80% of their time in their learning environment, developing technical knowledge and skills. The other 20% is spent completing a meaningful industry placement, where they can put their learning into practice.
Apprenticeship: 80% working, 20% training
Apprentices spend around 80% of their time working and gaining practical experience with their employer, with around 20% dedicated to training and study.
Kory’s progression shows how these routes can work together. His T Level industry placement gave him practical experience at NEIDA and helped him identify Quality as an area he wanted to develop further.
At NEIDA, apprenticeships and T Level industry placements provide young people with opportunities to gain practical experience and develop the technical skills needed within modern manufacturing.
Kory’s progression from T Level Engineering student to Quality Practitioner Apprentice demonstrates how workplace experience can help students build confidence, discover their strengths and make informed decisions about their future careers.
By combining structured learning with practical experience, NEIDA supports young people as they develop into skilled and experienced engineering and manufacturing professionals.
NEIDA offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities across its manufacturing sites in Stoke-on-Trent and the Isle of Wight, including engineering, manufacturing and specialised pathways such as the Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship.
Our apprenticeship programmes combine practical, hands-on experience within a working engineering environment with college-based learning and formal assessments. Apprentices earn a competitive salary while working towards a nationally recognised qualification, gaining the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to build a career in engineering and manufacturing.
Through our apprenticeships and T Level industry placements, NEIDA is committed to supporting the next generation of talent and developing the skills needed for the future of UK manufacturing.
offers Mechanical Engineering apprenticeships at its manufacturing sites in Stoke-on-Trent and the Isle of Wight, as well as specialised programs such as the Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship. These schemes combine hands-on work experience with weekly college sessions and formal assessments, enabling apprentices to earn a competitive salary while working toward a nationally recognised qualification.
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Kory has progressed from a Level 3 T Level in Engineering and industry placement at NEIDA to a Level 4 Quality Practitioner Apprenticeship. His placement introduced him to Quality, where he developed practical skills in measurement, inspection equipment and engineering drawings. Now part of the Quality team, Kory is building his technical knowledge, experience and confidence as he develops his engineering career.
NEIDA is exploring 3D printing as a complementary manufacturing technology, developing bespoke solutions for production and engineering requirements while supporting the development of new technical skills.
Tom Farmiloe has successfully completed his Quality Pathway Apprenticeship at NEIDA, building on his prior engineering education. The program blended practical experience with off-the-job training, enhancing his technical skills and confidence through learning modern quality control methods and developing professional relationships.
Congratulations to Amelia Reeves on completing her Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship at NEIDA. Amelia’s passion for learning and dedication to her role has helped her develop essential skills that have set her up for continued success within the company.
Congratulations to recently graduated Apprentice Declan Davies on securing full-time CNC Escomatic position at NEIDA.
From 5th – 11th February businesses across the UK come together for National Apprentice Week 2024.
After completing an A-level in Engineering, Amelia Reeves has enrolled on a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Business Administration at NEIDA.
Congratulations to recently graduated Machining Apprentices Ethan Rotherham and Adam Thompson on securing full-time CNC sliding head setter positions at NEIDA.
Due to continuous growth, NEIDA has two additional CNC sliding head machines on order.
After completing work experience in the Quality department at NEIDA, Tom Farmiloe, has enrolled on an EAL Level 2 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering with a technical support technician pathway.
Congratulations to recently graduated Business Administration Apprentice, Phoebe Bentley, in securing a full-time position within our busy commercial department at NEIDA.
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