Working two jobs was not what Noah Mason wanted from a career, he needed a change!
Stepping back from his role in retail, Noah from Bury, decided that his next job opportunity had to be a move towards a career. It also had to involve learning new skills and if he was lucky enough seeing more of the country – possibly even the world!
Noah explains:
“Before starting my apprenticeship with IACS, I was working two jobs. My days were filled with long hours at Tesco and Flannels. I was earning but not really learning and each day felt the same.
“I knew that I wanted more. But, being honest, I had no idea what ‘more’ looked or felt like. I wasn’t sure what the future held. I think it was having this open mind about my next step that made me consider the role of a pipeline inspector, something I had never really heard of before.”
An opportunity to develop…
Noah discovered the ‘Practitioner in Pipelines for Hydrogen and Utilities’ (PIPHU) apprenticeship just as the IACS Training & Education team were looking for their second cohort.
Four key elements about PIPHU and IACS appealed to Noah: the role was completely new to him; he saw it as an opportunity to develop new skills through a supported programme where he could earn and learn; and travelling to different areas of the country was a prerequisite.
Noah was inspired. He applied, and he joined a pioneering programme that would take him less than two years to complete. He is now an IACS apprentice training to be a pipeline inspector on some of the UK’s biggest pipelines.
Noah comments:
“I’m nine months in and it’s a really intense programme, it's certainly been challenging. The requirements to study and revise to pass exams are very real. But, it is also very promising and I am excited to see where the future will take me.”
A collaborative apprenticeship…
Each IACS apprentice is supported in all aspects of the programme; during study leave, on-campus learning and taking exams at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton; on live sites with both IACS and client personnel providing mentoring and guidance; and at every stage a full suite of IACS personnel provides support.
Noah adds:
“So far it has been quite a journey, the change you experience goes way beyond skills. Visiting the sites and being away from home is a new level of independence; this has made me much more confident”
About the apprenticeship…
The IACS PIPHU apprenticeship is derived from the Construction Support Technician apprenticeship standard and includes several bespoke features including welding, coating and painting inspection and non-destructive testing. A groundbreaking programme, it is also helping to solve the skills challenges experienced by the green energy sector.
The PIPHU apprenticeship includes the world’s very first Ofqual accredited qualification in hydrogen awareness that is delivered by Hydrogen Safe, the specialist safety training provider.
Noah explains:
“One of the first modules that we studied as part of the PIPHU apprenticeship was how to work safely with hydrogen. This is an important reminder that this industry is evolving, with hydrogen set to have a huge impact. The knowledge that I am learning means that I will be equipped with the green skills needed to support our future.”
Noah describes his PIPHU apprenticeship as challenging, interesting and exciting. For him, the best part is getting to know the role, here he concludes.
“The more you get to know about the role the more interesting it is. It feels really good to understand the role of a pipeline inspector by actually working in a live environment and with other specialist tradespeople. It’s a great way to experience what will become your new working world.”