Spotlight on Quattro Plant Engineer, William Wood

 ‘Skills For Life’ National Apprenticeship Week  Spotlight on William Wood Quattro Plant Engineer - NAW2025

William Wood, 20, was heading into his 3rd year apprenticeship of Level 3 Mechanical Engineering when his employers fell into administration. That day, staff were instructed to return tools to the depots and leave without references.  Finding himself out of a job and with valuable training halted, William sprung into action and phoned multiple rail firms to see if they’d be interested in helping him finish his journey to become a rail fitter.  William followed up enquiries diligently and sent in his CV, however he found the same response at every door, with rail firms expressing a reluctancy to hire apprentices midway through their qualification. 

‘Luckily I knew someone who was friends with an employee at Quattro’, said William.  ‘I rang the head office and they asked me to send in my CV.  After that, I got a phone call from Paul Metcalfe as my predicament had been mentioned to him.  Me and Paul had a conversation then he asked me to come in for an interview and a walk round the depot, then two days later I was invited to finish Level 3 at Quattro.  I was elated.’

William settled in at the Doncaster depot very quickly and has since completed his apprenticeship.  He now works full time as a rail fitter.

‘I have definitely learned so much more at Quattro; it’s very busy.  There are multiple different scenarios and machines to examine, giving me a lot of experience.  As a fitter I work on breakdowns, basic removal and replacement of parts, inspections and maintenance of plant.  Personally having the knowledge to go and fix a machine when noone else can do it makes me feel really good.  My favourite machine to repair is Komatsu 170.  It hasn’t got wires hanging everywhere and it isn’t too complicated!’

William left school after passing all his GCSEs during Covid and is an avid champion of the apprenticeship route, explaining its many benefits.

‘I would tell any school leaver that an apprenticeship is the best route you can pick.  You’re learning on the job and getting paid at the same time to get a qualification.  It’s like you’ve got work and college all mashed into one.  After a degree you’re not wasting time trying to find a job without experience.  That level of practical study suits me because I’m the sort of person that can’t sit still for too long. I find if I do it hands-on it goes into my head better.’

William explained that engineering was always in his sights.

‘I told my mum that engineering was always something I wanted to do.  As a little boy, Lego was my favourite toy, and I spent hours playing with it.  She’s very proud and surprised I’ve got this far, but I want to go further.’

This year, William will be adding an electrical engineering qualification to his belt. 

‘I want to go for a second apprenticeship.  I’ve done the mechanical side and I’m keen to learn the electrical side.  It would be great to work on the more advanced machines that are coming into play, especially the electric vehicles.  Quattro is supporting me again, in an application to study the Electrical Mechanical Apprenticeship.  That’s another 3 years on block release on a different course.  We’re just in the process of finding the right college.’

William says he's happy at Quattro, and hopes to climb the ladder one day.

‘I feel very welcome at Quattro.  It’s a supportive and rewarding place to work.  I like being with the other fitters and all the operators and customers.  We have a good laugh while we’re working hard, then we all go out on a Friday. I live ten minutes from the yard, so it’s a fantastic job for me.  Tonight I’ll pick up my girlfriend, Courtney, and go to the gym, then I’m back in tomorrow at 7.30am!  I’m definitely staying at Quattro to gain experience and hopefully go up the ladder one day.’

Paul Metcalfe, Depot Manager
‘Will has hit the ground running.  His timekeeping is great, he’s thorough with his work and if you ask him anything, he’s not phased by it, he’ll do it.  My hat goes off to him, going straight back at it. I can’t fault that lad for trying to better himself, it’s an admirable quality. What benefits Will, benefits Quattro.’

Melanie Webb, HR Manager
‘Apprenticeships are key to Quattro’s future; we believe in developing young talent as much as possible, both for our company and for the industry.  Will is diving into a second apprenticeship which is fantastic.  We want our young people to feel supported and to navigate and nurture them to success.’

John Murphy, Managing Director
‘Will had an unsteady beginning in his journey to become a fitter, but we were lucky that he knocked on our door.  His thirst for learning makes him a great asset and we wish him all the best with his electrical engineering apprenticeship.  Quattro is training the fitters of the future; for anyone that wants to “climb the ladder” here, we’ll do our best to hold it steady.’

If you're interested in an apprenticeship with Quattro, do get in touch with us by emailing jobs@quattroplant.co.uk or call us on 0845 900 2999 - ask for HR.