Bettys & Taylors apprenticeship offers right blend of campus and on-site tuition for Patryk and Max

After all, the UK's number 1 tea brand Yorkshire Tea is produced by the Taylors of Harrogate arm of the family business, while its Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms are renowned for the quality of their delicious treats and exceptional service.

Such high standards of service are also paramount at Taylors' impressive North Yorkshire factory base, where Patryk and Max are helping to ensure the high-tech machinery keeps manufacturing those famous tea bags

After several years when he was uncertain what profession and educational pathway best suited him, Patryk decided he would like to pursue a career in engineering when he realised that he enjoyed and had a flair for dismantling his car engine and putting it back together again.

He was already working as a machine operator at Taylors and decided to apply for the apprenticeship, which would be delivered in partnership with York College.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a long time career wise,” Patryk explained. 

“I tried training as an electrician at 18 but found that wasn’t for me either, but I always knew I wanted to do something hands-on and some type of trade. I was about 25 when I figured out that I liked mechanics. 

“I’d started working on my own car and realised that I really enjoyed using tools and figuring out how things worked. I also found out that I was quite good, as I’d take my car to bits and put it back together. 

“I was already working in the factory – first as an operator on the Yorkshire Tea catering bag line, then on more specialised machinery before a stint on the coffee bag line, which was brand new at the time. The more exposure I got to different machines, the more I wanted to learn about them, so I decided to apply for the apprenticeship. 

“There were seven internal applicants in total and I managed to get the place on offer. I feel quite lucky and blessed to get this position and an opportunity with a company that looks after you.”

Like Patryk, Max also started down the A Level pathway when he was first considering his post-16 options, only to change tact when he thought he would prefer to turn a life-long passion into a possible employment route. 

“I enjoyed fixing and making things when I was little with my dad – like garden furniture and other things around the house,” Max explained. “I did AS Levels at College during Covid, but I always wanted to do something that was hands-on, so I moved onto the Level 3 vocational course in Engineering for two years and, then, applied for the apprenticeship and I’ve really enjoyed it."

Max added that he finds the supervised tasks that he is given as a Taylors apprentice very rewarding, pointing out: “When you finish a job, there’s a good sense of accomplishment, especially if you’ve been scratching your head over it. 

“Being in a factory, a lot of the work is fixing breakdowns, whilst I can imagine a lot of apprenticeships are more about building things.”

Patryk, meanwhile, stressed how he really appreciates the breadth of knowledge he is acquiring on the apprenticeship.

“We’re learning so many different aspects of engineering from control systems to automation to the electrical and mechanical side,” he said. “We have a machine shop and a welding bay and it’s a very broad range.”

On how College tuition complements his time in the workplace, Patryk went on to declare: “At work, you get daily exposure to all the things that are required of you as a maintenance engineer. You’re constantly learning how new kit works and seeing different electrical, system or mechanical breakdowns.

“When you go to College, you learn the theory side of things and that means everything comes together really well. The tutors have a lot of knowledge and come from some solid backgrounds. It’s quite impressive how much they know and I find it a really good, professional college.”

That view is shared by Max, who said: “It’s nice to be able to put things I’ve learned at College into practice. Things tend to click a lot faster when you do it that way.

“I’m finding out how relevant some of the stuff was on my Level 3 course, too. The workshops are really good and I found, with the practical teaching, that the tutors helped me out a lot and were good at explaining things. 

“It’s all helped now that I’m learning a lot of machinery skills and improving my hand skills with Taylors.”

Both Patryk and Max are hoping to be employed on a full-time basis by Bettys & Taylors on the completion of their apprenticeships.

They remain undecided, however, as to what direction they would like to take in the industry, given the multiple options open to them, with Patryk adding: “I’m still figuring out an area that I’d like to specialise in but, if I was to pick one thing, I’d say I’d like to be in a Maintenance Lead position, which basically involves overseeing a whole production line and being the Head Engineer of it. 

“In that role, you’re also responsible for training staff, engineers and production technicians on different maintenance tasks. You basically look at common failings and how you can make lines run better.”

On his aspirations in the profession, Max reasoned: “I enjoy mechanical engineering on machines, but I’m trying to get a knowledge of all aspects including electrical engineering and systems. I don’t really have an idea of what area I’d like to specialise in, because I want to try everything first.”

Patryk and Max work alongside fellow York College apprentice James Robinson, with Taylors Engineering Manager Lee Burnett impressed by the way all three are approaching their learning journey.

“We’re seeing them take on more and more responsibility each week,” Lee said. “They’re all progressing really well.”

Lee added that the key skills Bettys & Taylors are looking to equip the apprentices with encompass mechanical and electrical preventative maintenance and fault finding/resolution; machining; welding; electrical wiring and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming, as well as softer skills such as basics to project management and root cause analysis.

On the appeal of an engineering apprenticeship, Lee added: “Engineering is a very rewarding career and profession, where you know you’re making a difference. Obtaining the skills through an apprenticeship also means you earn while you learn, which avoids the financial burden of student loans and other expenses. 

“It blends both academic and practical skills and experience, which gives apprentices a better chance of adding value quicker to employers. Not all students are geared for solely academic educational routes and apprenticeships offer a good balance.”

On College’s qualities as an apprenticeship education partner, Lee declared: “York College are progressive with the learning content and do a great job of staying ahead in terms of industry technologies, such as automation and robotics.”

To find a list of our current apprenticeship vacancies, please click here

You can also gain further information on all our apprenticeship courses at our next Open Event on Tuesday, April 1st (5.30pm to 7.30pm). Register a place here