Designing a career: Kobi’s Story as an Engineering Apprentice

At just the start of his engineering career, Kobi is already discovering what makes the industry so rewarding with no two days are ever the same

One of three engineering apprentices who joined PENTA Electrical Safety Products in Corsham last year, Kobi was drawn to engineering through his love of maths and physics at school. But it was the balance between creativity and logical thinking that really captured his interest, particularly within design engineering.

Since joining the engineering department, he has quickly realised just how much work and attention to detail goes into every project.

“What surprised me most was the amount of variation in the department and how much work goes into each little part of every project,” he says.

Over the past year, Kobi has developed a wide range of practical and technical skills. From learning how to operate shop floor machinery and equipment to building confidence with design software such as SolidWorks, his apprenticeship has given him hands-on experience across the business.

One of his proudest achievements so far has been creating his first complete design and technical drawing in SolidWorks from a physical component — a milestone that demonstrated just how far his skills have progressed.

For Kobi, engineering is a career that constantly challenges you to learn and adapt.

“Expect every day to be different,” he advises other young people considering the industry. “You need to be good at spotting the details and being precise with each job you do.”

A typical day starts with cycling into work, checking what needs to be completed, and then tackling a variety of different tasks throughout the day, something he particularly enjoys about the role.

Mike Mundy, Technical Director at PENTA Electrical Safety Products, says investing in apprentices is an important part of the company’s future.

“Developing young engineers through apprenticeships is vital for the continuity of the business and for driving innovation,” he says. “Apprentices bring fresh talent, fresh ideas and a different perspective, which is incredibly valuable for the future of engineering and for the continued growth of the company.”

Looking ahead, Kobi hopes to continue developing his expertise in more technical areas of engineering, with a focus on design and the creative side of the department.

His story is a great example of how apprenticeships can open the door to exciting careers, giving young people the chance to develop real-world skills while working on meaningful projects from day one.