James Coxon

Name: James Coxon, 20
Job title: Composites apprentice
Employer: McLaren Automotive
Degree: Advanced level 3 composites technician apprenticeship

Winner of the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award at Composites UK Industry Awards 2024
Highly commended ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the Northern Automotive Alliance Awards 2024

Q. What inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?

I've always had a keen interest in engineering, especially in the automotive industry and cars. It's always been a career path I've envisioned for myself, it was always something I wanted to go into.

In my early years of secondary school, I transferred to the UTC Sheffield which is an engineering-specialised school. This is where I did both my GCSEs and A-levels with a focus on engineering subjects. The opportunities and experience here allowed me to find my focus and I knew I wanted to work in composites.

I believe that without the opportunities and exposure to apprenticeships at an engineering specialised school such as UTC, I wouldn't have considered taking an apprenticeship route to pursue a career in engineering.

Q. Why did an apprenticeship appeal to you?

For me, it wasn't a single factor but a combination of several. While I could have pursued a university degree after A-levels, I wasn't particularly interested in the traditional academic path. I preferred a more practical approach.

The opportunity to gain hands-on experience in industry was the main reason why I chose this route. The chance to work hands-on in the composites industry, especially with McLaren, a company I’ve always wanted to work for, was another big driver in my decision – as this isn’t an experience I would get through other routes.

If I hadn't had the opportunity to enter this composite apprenticeship, I likely would have opted for university. However, having this specific path aligned with my aspirations to work in the composites industry and made the decision clear.

Q. Tell us about your work with your employer? What are some of your highlights at work?

I was fortunate enough to be transferred to the development engineering team at McLaren after a year in production. I had been spending extra time with the engineering team, and they recognised my interest and initiative to expand my knowledge and skill set.

I’m really fortunate to be part of the process development team at McLaren. Before that, I spent a year in production, which was key to developing the knowledge and skills around the products we make but I always had an engineering mindset and wanted to work in that environment. 

After my production shift, I would spend time with the engineering team getting to know the things they were working on. Eventually, they noticed my interest and I was transferred to my current team. Now, I'm involved in projects developing future technologies for McLaren Technology Centre, working on process development for future vehicle projects.

Q. How do you think your apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge you need for a rewarding career? 

One of the biggest things I’ve learned during my apprenticeship is the importance of being proactive. I’ve taken the initiative to seek out new opportunities, learn from experienced engineers and even connect with teams in other parts of the company. By being proactive and always striving to learn more, I’ve been able to accelerate my growth and make the most of my time at McLaren.       

Q. What was the best part about doing an apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre?

The best part about my apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre is definitely the mix of theory and hands-on experience. As a composite apprentice, I've had the chance to visit a range of different companies, from material suppliers to testing labs and even motorsport environments.

And I don't think I’d ever have had these opportunities without the apprenticeship. Especially for composites most other training providers focus heavily on theory, but here, we're actually out there, seeing how things work in the real world and gaining knowledge on how other sectors within our industry operate and how procedures differ to ours.

It's interesting to see how diverse the industry is. What we do at my company is completely different from what other apprentices companies are up to. Being able to cross-train with other apprentices at places like McLaren is a great way to learn and network.

The AMRC Training Centre also allows us to visit industry events too. We went to the Advanced Engineering show last year and this year. It's a massive trade show for the composites and advanced engineering sector, and it's a great chance to meet suppliers, see the latest tech and get a feel for the industry's future.

Q. What tips and/or advice would you give to other people looking to do an apprenticeship?

I'd say the most important advice is to take your time. It's normal to feel overwhelmed when surrounded by experienced professionals who know what they’re doing but it's crucial to stay focused on your own journey.

Starting anything new is always scary and you might think ‘am I doing it okay?’ or ‘is this fine?’ but remember that you're at the beginning of your career and learning something completely new. So, be proactive in your approach to learning experiences and make the most of every opportunity to learn and develop.

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