Luke Oates and Shane Dunkason are both former engineering apprentices, now working in senior engineering roles at DP World Southampton. We asked them what part they play in the smooth running of the container terminal, and how they got where they are today.

What is your job now?

Luke: I’m a Planned Maintenance Engineer but my primary focus is on reliability, looking at things like preventing equipment breakdowns before they occur. You can imagine how costly it would be if, say, one of our huge quayside container cranes stopped working and were unable to unload a ship! My current role is a new position where I can use cutting edge technology to help detect problems with our equipment such as ultrasound, vibration and thermography. For example, by the time you can hear a bearing in an engine making a funny noise, it’s likely done some damage and you’ll probably have to strip it all to replace any damaged parts. However, if I can use ultrasound to detect unusual noises even before you can hear them with the human ear, we can probably solve the problem before it does unnecessary damage. I learnt about lean manufacturing techniques on my degree and I was always interested to see how it might apply in engineering. Now, I’m in a position to implement some of those ideas.

Shane: I’m one of two Asset Managers here; I look after our quayside cranes and various other equipment on site while my opposite number is responsible for our fleet of straddle carriers. After my apprenticeship, I stepped up to supervise a planned maintenance shift. That lead to the opportunity to oversee the build of two new quayside container cranes in 2018 – a fairly rare opportunity – dealing with colleagues, contractors and an assortment of planning and scheduling issues. In 2019, I was given the opportunity to become a Scheduling Engineer, planning our maintenance priorities on all our equipment. Not long after that, DP World Southampton had a bit of a restructure and the Asset Manager roles were created, so I applied for one. I get to work quite closely with Luke as he comes up with initiatives that our maintenance teams need to implement. It feels like we’re pushing ahead with things and I enjoy the challenge of setting up new systems and processes.

What was your first job?

Luke: My first job was actually with DP World, about eighteen years ago! When I left school, I knew I wanted to go into engineering so I looked for some apprenticeship options. ExxonMobil are a large employer round here so I did apply there; my twin brother got offered that job ahead of me but fortunately I had applied to other places and was recruited by DP World. Now, I’m glad it worked out that way as I did a multi-skilled engineering apprenticeship, including skills such as fabrication, mechanical, electrical and electronics, and was offered the opportunity to do a degree afterwards even before Degree Apprenticeships formally existed. The opportunity to stay at DP World after my apprenticeship was fortunately available and so I was able to join a maintenance engineering shift, which pays really well! Without that hands-on experience, I don’t think I could do my job today anywhere near as effectively and competently.

Shane: Yes, like Luke, I joined DP World as a school leaver on an engineering apprenticeship and my older sister did her apprenticeship with Exxon! I had the same broad training as Luke, and we both went on to do degrees in Mechanical Engineering with Business at Solent University. For me, the degree was almost a ‘back up plan’, in case I didn’t want to still be working on my tools in my 40s. Fortunately, the opportunities within DP World Southampton have meant that my career could progress, through shifts and supervisory roles, without needing to look elsewhere.

It sounds like you would both recommend the Apprenticeship route!

Luke: Yes! What have you got to lose by applying for an Apprenticeship? I remember working out the pros and cons between apprenticeships and college, and the apprenticeship won hands down. College was just like going to school again, just without the uniform, but the apprenticeship was a real responsibility and a great way to earn good money straight from school. If you’re ready to step up into the challenge of the big world, I would say than an apprenticeship is for you. I don’t know anyone who has regretted doing an apprenticeship. I’m proud to work here; it does feel like a privilege to work at a well-known local company.

Shane: Yes, I would too! At school, there was minimal advice on apprenticeships, everyone was pushing me towards college and apprenticeships were an afterthought. But it was the other way around for me – an apprenticeship was my first choice option. My parents were really supportive (my Dad was an engineer too) so I applied everywhere to see what I could get. Even if I didn’t get offered the apprenticeship, I knew I would get great experience of the recruitment process - assessments, interviews etc. An apprenticeship is quite a step up from school; it can feel like a whirlwind and I think you grow up quickly. We spent our first year in a training centre, which helped, but I’m not sure how they could have prepared us for coming on site, with all the enormous kit we have! It probably wasn’t until towards the end of my Apprenticeship when I realised quite how good it was; friends from school were doing part-time jobs to earn some money, and some came out of university still not knowing what they wanted to do. I think an Apprenticeship gives you purpose. I think Luke and I would agree that, once we started our Apprenticeships, we’ve never looked back; it’s always forward to the next challenge.