Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week: Insights from our G&H Apprentices

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, which runs from 9 - 15 February 2026, we're celebrating the achievements and experiences of our apprentices, who play a vital role in driving innovation and technical excellence at G&H. At our Torquay facility in the UK, we offer a range of apprenticeships, providing opportunities for hands-on experience, exposure to cutting-edge engineering projects, and professional and personal growth.

We spoke with Christopher Thorpe, Principal NPI Engineer, and Apprenticeship Coordinator to get an overview of the apprenticeship programme at G&H:

Q: How is the apprenticeship structured over the four years?

CT: In the first two years, apprentices focus on learning specific processes about how we build things at G&H. We have four manufacturing areas: Fused Fiber Optics, Photonic Packaging, Fiber-Q®, and Modules.

Apprentices spend six months in each area, picking up essential skills across the business. In the last two years, apprentices move into higher-engineering functions, gaining experience in product engineering and manufacturing engineering.

We recently interviewed three apprentices at different stages of their G&H engineering apprenticeships: Cain Rider, Manufacturing Technician; Jack Wills, Maintenance Technician; and Joe Morgan, Engineering Apprentice.

Their experiences highlight how G&H apprenticeships deliver hands-on learning, personal growth, and clear pathways for career advancement.

Q: What attracted you to this apprenticeship?

Cain: My plan was to do a physics or maths degree, but COVID created a lot of uncertainty. I knew about G&H from my Dad, Andy Rider, Chief Engineer Fused Components, who has worked here for 45 years, and after talking with him about it, the work seemed right for me, technical and involving lots of hands-on, complex building.

Jack: Before starting my apprenticeship, I studied English at university and qualified as a secondary school teacher. After finishing, I joined G&H and worked here as a Maintenance Technician for around four years. When an engineering apprenticeship became available, I decided to apply even though I didn’t have formal engineering qualifications. I’d built up strong industry experience and developed a real passion for the role. The opportunity to earn while learning, develop practical skills, and progress within the business really appealed to me.

Joe: The main reason I started at G&H was location. I’d been wanting to move down here for quite a while. My cousin is also an apprentice here, and he vouched for the place. I never planned on a career in engineering, but it just happened. I’ve always been very maths- and science-focused, so going into this sort of line makes sense.

Q: Why did you choose an apprenticeship over university or another route?

Cain: The security of being paid, actively developing my career, and not accumulating debt seemed like a no-brainer. Years of on-the-job experience are sought after by employers too, giving me a head start over my friends who went to university.

Jack: Having already been to university, I knew I wanted something far more practical and hands-on. This apprenticeship allows me to learn on the job, gain real industry experience, and earn while developing my skills. It felt like a much better fit for me than returning to full-time academic study.

Joe: I’d already been to university. I didn’t enjoy it and realised my beliefs didn’t really align with the police. I took a couple of years to try and find a new direction for myself. I was planning on joining the RAF, but I never got motivated enough to follow through. This apprenticeship offered the technical challenge I was looking for.

Q: What new skills have you developed and how have you grown professionally?

Cain: I have developed many project management skills through college and here at G&H, with so much communication between different departments, organising new production lines, setting them up, and supporting them. My technical knowledge in the field of photonics continues to grow with every year I spend in the industry, and I feel I have a great knowledge base that is transferable.

Jack: I’ve developed a wide range of new skills, particularly in electrical and mechanical maintenance. I’ve learned how to fault-find, carry out calibrations, and complete repairs, including soldering, which I’d never done before starting this role. Through the apprenticeship, I’ve also grown in confidence, working more independently and taking on greater responsibility within the maintenance team. The balance between electrical theory at college and hands-on learning on site has really helped me develop professionally.

Joe: This is my first time working in a big company, so I’ve learnt a lot about how to work in a team and how everybody needs to be able to rely on each other. Also, being completely new to engineering, I’ve been learning a lot about procedures and technical skills. I feel a lot more confident in the direction of my career now, and I am planning on staying on up to Level 6.

Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying?

Cain: Ask yourself what you are interested in before applying. I am technical but also very hands-on, so I spend much of my time working with hardware, creating processes, and problem-solving using network diagrams, maths, and physics. Others focus on programming, data analysis, customer support, or management. An apprenticeship is a tool to gain experience and discover variety within and outside of the industry.

Jack: Even if you don’t initially see yourself in that type of role, if you feel capable and interested, go for it. The company genuinely supports apprentices and wants you to succeed, so don’t let self-doubt stop you from applying.

Joe: If, like me, it’s your first time in a big company, it can be a bit intimidating, but don’t worry about that. Everybody is friendly, and it does feel like a big family. You’ll need to have some patience because it’s such a big company that there are a lot of responsibilities, which can lead to some downtime for apprentices. That isn’t so bad because it gives a chance to get your college work done.