National Apprenticeship Week 2024: Meet Ben!

For National Apprenticeship Week, we’re highlighting Supply Chain Administrator Ben Gray!   

Completing his two-year-long Business Admin Apprenticeship last year, Ben is an integral part of our Newcastle office. Thanks to his commitment and drive to learn and grow, Ben has gone from strength to strength in his time here at 3t, supporting a multitude of projects to ensure that individuals get the same opportunity to unlock new career opportunities through training as he did. 

> Why did you decide to undertake your apprenticeship?  

An apprenticeship has always been something that has interested me. For me, I see starting work early to gain vital experiences in the workplace as key to development and success across industries. Taking that opportunity and having the hunger to get stuck in opens the door to so many amazing career possibilities. I’ve seen that firsthand and would encourage others to be curious and do the same – even if it seems like a daunting task or that you’re stepping into the unknown.

Before joining 3t and kickstarting my career through the apprenticeship, I was in full-time education in sixth form whilst working part-time at JD Sports. This apprenticeship and the routine I was exposed to have given me a huge leg up so early in my career.

> What has been a highlight so far for you? 

As I progressed through my apprenticeship and since I officially completed it, I feel like I have become a much more focused individual in my approach to completing tasks and working on projects. This has put me on a path of development, not just professionally but personally too.

The apprenticeship itself and the training and support I received allowed me to develop characteristics that are integral to my line of work and my day-to-day life. Whether enhancing my time management or negotiating skills, developing how I communicate with clients and partners, or taking part in detailed cost and product analysis, the apprenticeship has unlocked core skills to help me when managing my portfolio, a working routine, and finding the best solutions to problems I, or the customer, experiences.

> Where do you see yourself in the future? 

I feel very incredibly lucky to be in this position so early in my career, but I know it’s the result of the hard work that I put in throughout the duration of my apprenticeship. For the next three to five years, I am hoping to remain as part of the 3t team but to continue progressing and showcasing my capabilities to the team around me.

To ensure that I am progressing, I have set a series of personal targets and ambitions to drive me forward. These targets include increasing my knowledge and skills within the supply chain to enhance my ability to effectively and successfully carry out my current role and create opportunities for myself to develop my role further within 3t. I know that learning and researching my role is the key to achieving this, so I am hoping to complete a Level 4 or 5 in ‘Supply Chain and Procurement’. Ultimately, I want to unlock my potential. I feel as though I am in the best place to do that and achieve my goals.

At 3t, we are passionate about supporting the apprenticeship journey by empowering individuals with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to seize industry opportunities. 

Apprenticeships provide a great way for individuals to kickstart their futures, gaining safety-critical skills in a safe and non-critical environment. Apprenticeships offer the opportunity to build confidence and knowledge until you achieve competence.  

To help facilitate growth and opportunities in safety-critical industries, we offer a series of apprenticeship opportunities for the Utilities and Construction sector. These courses help to develop a high level of knowledge, including health and safety practices, in an immersive and supportive environment before integrating into onsite work. 

Our apprenticeships include:  

• Scaffolding 
• PNC (Power Network Craftsperson) 
• Highways maintenance skilled operative 
• Gas network operatives 
• Water network operative 

Apprentices are the workforce of the future – let’s celebrate them. Find out more here.