Meet our Degree Apprentice, Tom Beezer!

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we asked Tom Beezer to answer some questions on his role, since undertaking a degree apprenticeship by the Port of Blyth and partners. 

What is involved in your role?

The degree apprenticeship I am completing involves working with multiple companies over the duration of my apprenticeship.  To date, I have worked with Global Marine and SMD. I go to University one day a week and the remaining time I have been in the workplace. During this time, I am employed as an Electrical and Control degree apprentice working for the commissioning team and electrical departments, building subsea equipment.

My role involves working on the shop floor and in cleanrooms, assembling electrical components and structures. When the components are assembled, they form a machine called Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV’s), which are essentially robots for the sea. These ROV’s then go on to a ship and offshore to complete tasks such as burying submarine cables (the internet) from country to country and expanding the World Wide Web. I work within a team of multi-disciplined technicians and engineers and each person contributes equally. SMD supply the offshore equipment and Global Marine then use this equipment that is driving the offshore industry forward by making bespoke and intelligent vehicles.

I find this industry interesting as it uses new cutting-edge technologies and every ROV is bespoke. The job and training I’m receiving from both companies has the potential to allow me to work offshore in the future as I progress through my career.

Why did you choose to do the Degree Apprenticeship?

Doing a degree apprenticeship was the best way for me to progress through my education after coming out of college. I am a very hands-on person, who wanted to have experience in an industry instead of becoming a full-time student. More so, completing an apprenticeship allowed me to stand out and open more doors for the future as I am ahead in terms of industry experience, than full-time students. What I am learning in university directly relates to what I’m doing day to day in work and helps embed the theoretical degree work into practical hands on work and technical knowledge I need in my career. Additionally, doing an apprenticeship allows me to earn a living and has taught me skills I would not have learnt within full-time education, while at the same time graduating university debt free, as this is funded through the apprenticeship levy via levy transfer from Global Marine.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling for a similar apprenticeship?

I would strongly advise anyone going for a similar apprenticeship, that there are many opportunities around the Northeast available, you just must take them and go for it.

Sticking in now with school and college will bring so many opportunities and benefits your way, be outgoing and don’t be afraid!