Learning by Doing: Owen's Journey With Reeco

Walk around Reeco's workshop on any given day and you'll find Owen doing what every apprentice hopes for: not making tea or watching from the sidelines but contributing to real engineering projects.

Since joining Reeco in September 2024, Owen has become an integral part of the manufacturing team. Working towards his Level 3 Mechanical Engineering qualification, he combines his college studies with hands on experience across Reeco's workshop, learning alongside experienced engineers and developing the practical skills that can only be gained in a real manufacturing environment.

One day, Owen might be machining precision components on the milling machine. The next, he's operating CNC machinery, using the centre lathe or building the robot heads that form part of Reeco's robotic automation systems. Alongside manufacturing components, he's learning to interpret engineering drawings, understand the wider build process and appreciate the precision required to deliver automation solutions that perform reliably on customer sites. That variety has accelerated Owen's development, giving him experience across multiple areas of the workshop while helping him understand how every component contributes to the finished machine.  

For Rob Francis, Manufacturing Manager, that's exactly what an apprenticeship should provide.  

"There's only so much you can learn from college. The real learning starts when you have a machine in front of you and a problem to solve. Owen's never afraid to ask questions, and that's one of his biggest strengths."

It's that willingness to learn that has enabled Owen to take on increasing responsibility throughout his apprenticeship. As his confidence has grown, so has the trust placed in him by the team, allowing him to contribute to projects that will go on to support manufacturers across the UK.  

For Owen, however, the biggest lessons haven't just been technical.  

"It gives you a sort of discipline towards your work and sets you up for life."  

That discipline extends beyond the workshop because outside of Reeco, Owen has recently taken on the role of Chairman of his local Young Farmers Club. Leading fellow members, helping organise events and representing the club within the wider Young Farmers community has allowed him to develop leadership, communication and organisational skills that complement his engineering career.  

For Rob, that's exactly what apprenticeships should achieve.  

"They're not just about teaching someone how to operate a machine. They're about helping young people grow in confidence, solve problems, work as part of a team and build skills they'll carry with them throughout their careers."  

As manufacturing continues to evolve through robotics and automation, the industry will always depend on skilled people who are prepared to learn, adapt and embrace new technologies. Apprenticeships play a vital role in developing that talent, ensuring knowledge is passed from experienced engineers to the next generation.

At Reeco, investing in apprentices is an investment in the future of engineering. Owen's journey over the past year reflects that commitment, demonstrating what's possible when practical experience, expert guidance and a willingness to learn come together.  

Watch Owen's apprenticeship journey in our latest video to hear, in his own words, what the experience has meant to him.