Award-winning mentor highlights the benefits of apprenticeships

Recently named our Apprentice Manager of the Month, David McCue from Diamond Light Source has spent more than a decade supporting engineering apprentices; helping them develop the skills, confidence and practical experience needed to thrive in the workplace.

His experience demonstrates the valuable role apprentices can play within an engineering team when they are trusted with meaningful work and given the correct support.

"Yes, working with apprentices can take up a bit of time, especially early on.... But once you start training them and showing them how you want things done, they become an asset."

Having completed his own engineering studies at Abingdon & Witney College before building a successful career in scientific instrumentation and engineering, David now works on the I09 beamline at Diamond Light Source, where he manages apprentices alongside his technical responsibilities.

Throughout his career, he has seen the impact apprentices can have, not only on their own development but on the organisations that support them.

"I couldn't have done so much of the work I've done without having some apprentices. They've done a lot for me."

Apprenticeships are about much more than filling skills gaps, they create opportunities to develop talent in-house, pass on specialist knowledge and build a stronger workforce for the future.

"There are things you can learn at college, but real-life training comes from working alongside experienced technicians who know all the little tricks of the trade that can't always be taught in a classroom."

David’s commitment to developing young engineers earned him a nomination from Apprenticeship Training Co-ordinator Adrian McIlroy Speed, who praised his approach to mentoring and the opportunities he creates for learners.

"Dave always gets the most out of his apprentices by engaging them with interesting work which stretches their abilities. He never gives an apprentice work just to keep them busy. He always has something meaningful for them to complete."

The focus on high-quality, hands-on experience benefits both apprentice and employer. By involving apprentices in real projects and encouraging them to take ownership of their work, businesses can develop capable team members who make a genuine contribution while gaining valuable industry experience.

For engineering employers facing ongoing skills shortages, apprenticeships also offer a practical way to future-proof their workforce. By developing talent internally, businesses can ensure vital technical knowledge is passed on to the next generation.

"The worst thing I can think of is my skills not being passed on to someone else"

As employers across Oxfordshire continue to look for skilled engineers and technicians, David’s experience serves as a reminder that apprentices are not simply the workforce of tomorrow. With the right support, they can become valuable contributors today.

Thinking of employing an apprentice?

At Abingdon & Witney College, we work with employers to recruit, train and develop apprentices who can help businesses grow, innovate and build for the future.

Find out more by visiting our Employing Apprentices page or get in touch by calling us on 01235 216216 or emailing apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk