Meet our Welding Apprentices: Investing in Tomorrow’s Talent
As engineering, manufacturing and construction sectors grapple with growing skills shortages, we’re taking action – investing in our people and nurturing the next generation of talent through our apprenticeship programme.
Impressive results and dedication
Since launching our apprenticeships, we’re proud to have welcomed so many young people through our doors. In 2024, we recruited our latest cohort – and two years on, they’re already exceeding expectations. Each welding apprentice is excelling in their studies and on track to complete their qualifications a full year ahead of schedule, thanks to their impressive results and dedication.
Here we meet Jaiden and Henry and hear about their apprenticeship journey…
Meet Jaiden…
Jaiden Ferguson is 19-years-old and has been a welder fabricator apprentice with ACS for two years. Having completed his Level Two qualification at college, Jaiden is now studying towards Level Three and, while his course usually takes four years to complete Jaiden is confident that it will take just three years to reach his goal.
“I was keen to get into the working field of welding,” Jaiden tells us. “So after finishing Level Two in college, I was made up to be able to continue my learning and training with ACS.”
Jaiden’s weeks are structured to allow him to work and study; he continues: “Being at ACS means I now spend four days in work at the ACS factory and one day at college – each Wednesday. Hands on experience is just brilliant, and I recommend it to anyone looking to qualify as a welder fabricator.”
During his two years with ACS so far, Jaiden has worked on hundreds of jobs – including the company’s annual charity Steel Soldiers’ campaign where the manufacturing team create steel soldiers to raise much-needed funds for the army benevolent fund.
“That was a really fun job!” he says. “But that’s true of most days where no task looks the same. One day I might be welding a masonry support, the next Certus – it all depends what jobs are lined up.”
Jaiden’s work further diversified after he became “coded” – gaining his formal Welder Approval Test which proves he can consistently produce welds that meet specific, regulated industry standards. He is now qualified to work on safety-critical applications which he gained from his time with ACS.
Jaiden adds that support from colleagues has also helped him at each turn: “Initially I was guided by my mentors Lew and Michal, but now I’m coded I do the majority of work unsupervised which gives me much more confidence in my role here.”
Regarding his future and long-term plans, Jaiden adds: “I’m working hard to complete my course within three years and then I hope to stay on in a full-time job at ACS.
“I really do enjoy it here – both the job and spending time with my colleagues too. I originally got into welding through a pact with my friend Oscar – we both said that one day we’ll work as under-water welders. It’s a very demanding and dangerous job, but I love welding and it’s definitely the job for me, so who knows what the future holds!”
Meet Henry…
Henry Grice-Holt, 21, is undertaking an advanced manufacturing welding and fabrication Level Three apprenticeship course with ACS.
Henry joined ACS in August 2024 and, like Jaiden, splits his time between the factory and college. He too is set to complete his apprenticeship a year early and is on target to complete in June 2027.
Henry’s decision to apply for an apprenticeship followed both studying for his A-Levels and taking a gap year to work and travel. He was unsure whether university was the right path for him so attended an apprentice open day to find out more, telling us: “During my gap year I worked as a delivery driver at Waitrose and travelled to Thailand where I did loads of diving. During a stint at home, I decided to go to Leeds Apprenticeship Fair. I’d already received university offers but was keen to see what else was out there. Unbeknown to me I met one of my now mentors!
“I visited the ACS stand where Andrew gave me a number of cards with various jobs on and the welder card really sparked my interest! It included details about underwater welding and due to my love of diving, maths and science it just seemed a perfect fit. I’ve now been with ACS for two years and I’ve not looked back!”
Like Jaiden, Henry is also coded which means he too completes complex welding tasks unsupervised. His day-to-day experiences in the factory differ each day and he was also a key member of the team during the Steel Soldiers charity project.
Information on ACS apprenticeships
“I’m in the factory for 7am, say hi to Jaiden and the team and then go straight to my welding bay.” he says, describing a typical day. “I usually weld masonry supports or Certus and it’s my responsibility to check job numbers and the order in which they need to be dispatched.
“Although I work unsupervised now, all the apprentice’s jobs are checked at the end of the shift – mine by one of my mentors, Michal. Like Jaiden, I too really enjoyed welding the Steel Soldiers – I’m proud to say my mum has a small one in her garden. It was great fun and for a really good cause.”
As the end of his apprenticeship nears, Henry has discussed his future and desire to remain in a role at ACS. “I’ve already given it lots of thought” he continues. “I would love to stay here at ACS. I really enjoy it and there’s the opportunity to continue in further education which really appeals to me. There are other business opportunities at ACS which we’ve discussed too.
“The team is great and I can genuinely say I get along with everyone. I’m very lucky to be in a role I love and long may it continue. If I could offer any advice to anyone in my shoes post college – I’d say just see what’s out there, and you too could find an apprenticeship where you get to study, do what you love and get paid for it too. Win, win I say!”
Henry is currently waiting to find out if he’s made it through to the last round of the World Skills Competition. Following his recent attendance at the 2nd round held in Grimsby, he’s now waiting to find out if he’s made the National Qualifiers from a total of 80 contenders, where he’ll then progress to a week-long fabricating course in London. We all have everything crossed for him so watch this space!
For more information on ACS apprenticeships visit: Our apprenticeships page here.
Article originally published on 4th August 2026