Gas Engineering Success with Matt Forrester

Matt Forrester, 22 from Tunstall, is excelling in his career since becoming a gas and plumbing apprentice. But it wasn't always so easy. He was unsure what to do when leaving school, and with advice from careers advisors and friends, his options weren't clear.

School leaver options

After leaving school, Matt began working at Sports Direct but found he wanted to pursue learning a trade. His Step-Dad recommended Achieve Training (previously PM Training), where he joined the pre-apprenticeship programme, trying different trade areas before finding a perfect fit with gas and plumbing.

He excelled and quickly started as a plumbing apprentice with a local firm, Broad Oak Properties. Whilst learning new skills and making new friends, he began to work towards a Level 3 Gas Engineering Operative Apprenticeship - which typically takes 3-4 years to complete.

Matt said: "When I left school, I didn't know what to do. I wasn't going anywhere. Starting at Achieve Training has changed my life. I've learnt so much over the past four years."

Support for apprentices

Being an apprentice can be both exciting and challenging - with support from tutors and mentors, many young people progress into permanent roles.

Matt said: "My tutor Matt Turner is a great mentor. He's funny which makes it a lot easier when you are learning quite complex parts for your apprenticeship. The smaller class sizes make things easier for us all too as we can get individual support if we need."

At the age of 22, Matt is now working towards achieving his Level 3 Gas Engineering Operative Apprenticeship with Crewe based Heatshield Ltd, learning new transferable skills and behaviours.

Matt continues: My day-to-day tasks include general plumbing, fitting radiators, boilers and maintenance. I'm enjoying it, and I'm looking forward to where it's going to take me in the future. I would 100% recommend Achieve Training to anyone. It's a comfortable environment that makes you feel like an adult and not like a child at school or college. My daughter has recently been born, so I can provide for her and set a good example for when she grows up."

Would you like to follow in Matt's footsteps and become a Gas Engineer? Apply today to join our pre-apprenticeship programmes and start your career.