Apprenticeships
at Gist

Apprenticeships enable Gist to welcome new talent while providing apprentices with industry experience across a number of roles. Archie Marshall joined Gist in October 2021 as a Site and Sorter Maintenance Apprentice based at Gist Faversham.

“When I finished Year 11 I was unsure of what direction I wanted to go in with regards to my future career prospects and further education. The idea of an apprenticeship appealed to me because it seemed like a great opportunity to gain valuable industry experience and obtain the necessary qualifications to progress in a solid career, all whilst earning money and contributing to a pension.

I started searching for an engineering apprenticeship online and discovered Gist were looking for a Site and Sorter Maintenance Apprentice. After researching the company and the apprenticeship on offer, I decided to apply.

The reason Gist stood out to me was because of its innovative and forward thinking outlook on the logistics industry as a whole. The exciting opportunities to work with new technology and machinery appealed to me greatly. Being able to learn a trade while working is a brilliant system, and if I could go back I wouldn’t do anything differently.

Through doing my apprenticeship with Gist I have gained valuable skills that I will be able to transfer into almost any engineering environment. I am currently working towards my Level 3 Electrical Engineering qualification with hopes to progress onto a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and I’ve also just enrolled onto a 2365 Electrical Installation course.

The opportunities my apprenticeship with Gist has given me have been great and I look forward to the future as a qualified engineer with transferable skills and valued qualifications.”

Shahbaz Shah is working towards a Maintenance and Operations Engineering Apprenticeship on a block release with Bristol College.

Shahbaz joined Gist Bristol as a Site Engineer Apprentice in February 2020 as part of his 36-month college course.

Why did you chose to complete an apprenticeship with Gist?

I chose to complete my apprenticeship with Gist because the working environment is amazing; it is a company which gives me time to do my college work and I get to learn new things every day. As a company that requires you to have multiple skills, you can therefore specialise in your chosen apprenticeship as well as learn other skills alongside it, which isn’t something you find everywhere.

What new skills or knowledge have you gained so far through the apprenticeship?

Through this apprenticeship I am learning how to communicate more effectively and how to work better in a team, particularly as I am working with people from all different backgrounds and beliefs. Furthermore, it has really helped with my problem-solving skills. As an engineer I have learnt to be the problem solver to almost any problem.

How do you think this apprenticeship supports your future career goals?

This apprenticeship is helping me gain the skills and knowledge needed to develop my career. I also have a better understanding what my career goals are and how to achieve them, which helps keep me focused.

Gist also offers LEAD, its in-house management training programme. Once I complete my apprenticeship, I could enrol on the programme, which will help develop my leadership skills and work towards a management position.

What would you say to anyone looking to take up an apprenticeship?

I think apprenticeships are definitely the way to go; they are an excellent way to gain experience and qualifications in the sector that you want to work in. As an apprentice you do real jobs in real work environments which helps you gain relevant knowledge and skills such as team working, effective communication and problem solving.

Apprenticeships are not only a great way to really understand an industry and find a career that you enjoy, you also get to meet different people and make new friends.