From Apprentice to Skilled Engineer
Ben Kaye joined Boneham & Turner a year ago as a Toolmaker, but every engineer’s journey starts somewhere.
For Ben, it began at 18 years old with a clear goal, a strong work ethic, and a willingness to learn from the ground up. His path from student to skilled manufacturing engineer is a great example of how apprenticeships and hands-on experience can shape a successful career.
Taking the First Step into Engineering
After leaving college at 18, Ben took his first major step into the engineering world by applying for an apprenticeship in Toolmaking at the Advanced Manufacturing Centre in Sheffield. He was employed by an agricultural machinery manufacturer, combining real-world work with nine months of college study.
This early stage of his career laid the foundations for everything that followed. During his apprenticeship, Ben was introduced to a wide range of core engineering principles, including bench fitting, manual fitting, and manual milling. These practical skills weren’t just theory, they were learned on the job, in real manufacturing environments, under the guidance of experienced engineers.
Building Skills and Qualifications
Alongside full-time work, Ben continued to invest in his education. He completed his Level 3 NVQ and Level 4 NVQ (HNC) in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering while working, strengthening both his technical knowledge and practical ability.
Driven by a passion for learning and career progression, Ben went on to achieve a Bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Engineering. This combination of academic qualifications and hands-on experience helped him develop into a well-rounded engineer, confident in both problem-solving and practical application.
The Power of Apprenticeships
Ben speaks highly of apprenticeships and the role they play in building strong engineering careers “Apprenticeships offer an invaluable opportunity for young people to learn while earning, allowing them to gain industry-recognised qualifications without stepping away from paid employment.” he comments “By combining qualifications with real experience, they can offer multiple career pathways helping individuals to shape their careers”
Another advantage, according to Ben, is the opportunity to learn from experienced colleagues. Working alongside older and more skilled engineers provides insights that can’t be found in textbooks alone. Techniques, machining principles, and practical approaches shared early in his career are skills he still relies on today, lessons learned at 18/19 years old that continue to add value years later.
A Career Built on Experience
Ben’s journey shows that there is no single route into engineering, but apprenticeships offer a powerful and proven pathway. By combining education, real-world experience, and mentorship, he built a strong foundation that allowed him to grow into a skilled and knowledgeable engineer.
For anyone considering a career in engineering, Ben’s story is a reminder that starting early, staying curious, and learning from those around you can make all the difference. Apprenticeships don’t just teach you how to do a job, they help shape the engineer you become.
Working at Boneham & Turner
As a family-owned business with over 100 years of experience in delivering precision engineered solutions, we are passionate about shaping the future of engineering. Our heritage is built not only on technical excellence, but on a deep-rooted commitment to passing knowledge, skills and craftsmanship from one generation to the next.
This family value continues to guide everything we do. We believe that investing in people is just as important as investing in technology. That’s why education and skills development sit at the heart of our business.
Through apprenticeships, structured training programmes and close collaboration with education and training providers, we actively support the engineers of tomorrow. We’re proud to work alongside partners including All Saints Catholic Academy, West Nottinghamshire College, the University of Nottingham and the University of Wolverhampton Racing team, helping students gain real-world experience and industry insight.
For our apprentices and trainees, the impact is clear - “Working at Boneham & Turner allows me to develop my engineering skills whilst contributing to high-quality manufacturing. The close, family-like working environment makes each day enjoyable and supportive.” comments Ben
By combining generations of expertise with fresh talent and new ideas, we continue to strengthen our industry and ensure that precision engineering skills thrive for years to come.