I'M STARSTRUCK!

Newly qualified plant fitter Oliver Noble shares his joy in achieving an early distinction at only nineteen years old.

Hatfield’s Oliver Noble doesn’t turn 20 until 20th September 2026. Last year, he was a finalist for the Plant Mechanic Apprentice of the Year (South Region) Award, and now, at just nineteen years old, he has qualified with a Level 3 NVQ in the complex field of Land Engineering, not only with a distinction but also five months ahead of schedule.

Originally, Oliver was due to take his final assessment in June. Instead, he felt ready to bring it forward.

“I just wanted to push myself,” he says. “I had a drive to get it done ahead of time. I want to get out into more weekend work and get more familiar with the kit we’ve got at Quattro. It’s a real passion of mine, and I enjoy it. I want to get on with being a rail fitter!”

Oliver’s intense assessment ran over three days, with a varied range of examinations to complete.

“It broke down into a written exam on Monday, which I found quite tough. Then it was onto the practical exams on Tuesday. There was a bank of 20 different jobs set up. Three were selected at random for me: diagnostics on a tractor, a little mini digger that wouldn’t start, and finally an inspection of faults on a JCB teletruck. On Wednesday, it was a 15 minute presentation about myself, followed by a 45 minute professional discussion with IMI, the governing body assessors. It was a lot.”

Oliver received the news on Thursday morning with a call from Stafford College.

“I was a bit nervous all week. One of the course leaders, Eddie, phoned and told me the news.  I felt starstruck! I thought, this is finally real now. My life has been this apprenticeship for the past three years, and it’s amazing to feel that it’s all paid off. I can’t believe I got a distinction! Not gonna lie, it was a hard exam, especially the written. That was rough!”

Stafford College also contacted Quattro to pass on their feedback: “Oliver has been an outstanding student. Please could you send us more Ollie clones?”

Hungry to get started, Oliver is already thinking about what’s next as a rail fitter.

“I can now handle anything plant: from tractors to machines, dumpers, dozers, you name it. I have a vast array of knowledge, from hydraulics to electrics. I’m ready to get out there and get to grips with a new array of machines on site.”

With a nod to the future, he sees himself at Quattro.

“The real dream is to stay at Quattro and enjoy it. The guys I work alongside are great and I think I’d struggle to find that elsewhere. Quattro has a family feel at this depot and, actually, at the other depots too. I meet other people from the company and I think, oh wow, cool, you guys really have something here. We all get along so well. I think that’s why people stay. We’re all well looked after. I feel I’ve struck gold at Quattro.”

Depot Manager and dad, Ed Noble, says Oliver is a natural.

“Ollie has been in the Quattro yard with me since he was 12. He’s been welding, on the diggers, you name it. He’s a sponge for this craft. His mum, Sabrina, and I are over the moon. We gave Oliver a big hug when he came home last night. He’s an intelligent boy and a bright light. There have been big tears of joy from this news.”

It comes as no surprise to his mentor, Sean Goodwin, that Oliver qualified as a first class fitter. “There was never any doubt he’d pass, he’s got the fire inside him. Oliver is capable of great things, and we’re here to fuel that without limits. Oliver was on top of every single thing needed to achieve this qualification. He really deserves it.”

Oliver plans to celebrate his success as soon as possible.

“It’s the end of the apprenticeship. I’d say a couple of drinks are in order!”

John Murphy, Quattro MD, claims he’s the one who’s starstruck.

“Oliver is well ahead of the game, qualifying early at only nineteen with a distinction. I’d say it’s me who’s starstruck! I’ll have to roll out my special Quattro red carpet for him, and I usually only roll that out for myself. Serious congratulations to you, Oliver. That’s an impressive amount of hard work. You deserve those extra few drinks - Sean Goodwin! Release the moths!”