#SCOTAPPWEEK22: Meet Glenn Morrison
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we heard from Glenn Morrison, a trainee draughtsman at Brimmond Group, on the endless opportunities an apprenticeship can hold...
When I joined Brimmond straight out of secondary school, I didn’t have much knowledge or experience of engineering. In fact, I didn’t have many qualifications at all. So, for me, an apprenticeship was the perfect way to start a career in an industry I was interested in. I just needed someone to give me that chance.
During the first year of my apprenticeship, I was able to get to grips with the different types of equipment around Brimmond’s workshop which included HPUs, Pump Skids and Cranes.
In second year, I started college which gave me both theory-based and hands on experience, working with the machines and learning how to strip and inspect components. I was also able to take on extra credit units, which gave me the chance to learn more about welding and fabricating, including core-wire, MIG, TIG and stick welding.
After completing my apprenticeship, I looked into how I could build on the skills I’d learned. I’d clearly discovered a knack for engineering drawing during my training and decided a career as a draughtsman was the perfect fit for me.
Continuing my journey at Brimmond was a no-brainer for me. When I started in the workshop, I quickly learned that the Brimmond team work hard and to very high standards. Even the directors often come down to get their hands dirty – I found this very inspiring.
Brimmond started as a small family-run business and, although it has grown a lot, it’s still a very tight-knit team who are all there help each other. My journeyman, Steven Sharp, inspired me to push myself both in and outside of work – it’s because of his encouragement that I can proudly say I’d completed four marathons by age of 23!
In September 2019, I also started college evening classes, which allowed me to work towards an HNC in Mechanical Engineering whilst working full time as a Workshop Technician and earning money in the process. After that, I worked with the engineering department for six months before deciding to return to college to gain an HND in Mechanical Engineering.
By the summer of 2023 I’ll be a fully qualified draughtsman and shortly after this I hope to start a degree in mechanical engineering to become a design engineer. I’m lucky that whenever I’ve wanted to continue my development, the Brimmond team has been fully supportive.
When I started in the engineering department, everyone in the team took time to teach me something new. Working in a company where everyone wants to help you succeed is the perfect place to grow and develop.
Since becoming a trainee draughtsman, Tom Murdoch, engineering director, has become my line manager and been great at identifying routes for progression and provided insight into where my career could go.
From a personal perspective, I really value working for a team that encourages us to create a work-life balance that suits us as individuals, and I plan to remain a part of that team for many years to come.
During such a pivotal time for the industry as it moves towards net zero, I look forward to supporting the development of Brimmond’s offering in the renewables sector. I hope that in a few years, I’ll be designing equipment for various sectors and making my own personal contribution to the energy transition.
Looking back at how far I have come in the last seven years, I have seen what is possible. I would love to be able to help others progress in the same way my colleagues have helped me.
I have already made some great memories and life-long friends.
No matter your age or current situation, it’s never too late (or too early) to take your career in a completely new direction! The change may seem daunting at first, but I encourage you to just take that first step and go for it – you won’t regret it.