TWO apprentices have set to work on site at an international energy company's Barrow Gas Terminals. 

Lewis Law and Jon Robinson are kick-starting their careers with Centrica. 

After completed the first year of their apprenticeships they have now joined the team on site at the Barrow Gas Terminals. They combine the hands-on experience with their studies at Furness College. 

Lewis, 17, of Barrow, and Jon, 22, of Liverpool, are both mechanical apprentices on Centrica’s four-year apprenticeship scheme. 

Although apprentices on the scheme don’t start work on site until their second year, Lewis had visited the terminals after work experience on the plant two years ago. The former Walney School pupil said: “After my work experience and seeing all the different roles available, I knew an apprenticeship would be perfect for me and as soon as the scheme opened I went for it. 

“After leaving school I wanted to go straight into work, and this gave me a great chance to do that while continuing to learn at the same time.” 

For Mr Robinson the apprenticeship was an opportunity to turn his passion into a career, he said: “I have always enjoyed getting my hands dirty – I used to work on old cars with my dad and getting hands-on with the equipment at the terminals has been great. 

“I had looked at other jobs and did work in an office initially, but when the apprenticeship scheme came up I saw straight away that it was for me. It meant I could get the qualifications I wanted, but also offered experience at the terminals.” 

Both apprentices and looking forward to what the scheme could lead to.

Lewis said: “Completing my apprenticeship and gaining my HNC will open up further options for what I can do next. 

“With the right results I could go on to get a degree, which would be a great opportunity for me.”

Mr Robinson said: “Ultimately, I want to work offshore after I complete my apprenticeship.

“There are a lot of opportunities with Centrica because of the operations we have around the world.”