Jack Mackereth’s completion of his Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
Morris Lubricants are pleased to congratulate Jack Mackereth, Apprentice Maintenance Engineer on the successful completion of his Level 3 Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician end point assessment.
Jack has worked for Morris Lubricants for over 6 years, he first started in the factory filling hall, however, his transferable skill set meant he progressed to acquire a role within the maintenance department. Jack’s strong understanding of Morris Lubricants’ production machinery in the factory and the equipment’s technical requirements meant he was a perfect fit for the role of Apprentice Maintenance Engineer.
What are your day-to-day duties on site?
Jack explained that his day-to-day duties onsite predominantly involve keeping the production lines running efficiently and correctly and maintaining the condition of the plant. Jack explained that whilst these are his main duties, the maintenance team must also conduct preventative maintenance checks onsite and see to the general preservation of the Morris Lubricants site.
Why is it important that we have a specialised maintenance team onsite?
Jack explained that “having a specialised maintenance team on site at all times, means that the company do not have to call in external contractors, which decreases the possibility of delayed services and production downtime”. The Morris Lubricants maintenance team are specialised and trained in tending to the direct needs of our precise equipment and machinery, especially since the production line is becoming more technically advanced with the use of Programme Logistic Controllers (PLC) and inverters, the team must be well-informed of the continuous advancements happening with Morris Lubricants machinery”.
What tasks and requirements were involved in gaining your Level 3 apprenticeship?
Jack explained that he was required to complete coursework for his Level 3 apprenticeship alongside the development of a portfolio and written report throughout his studies. He highlighted that the new ShireSystem, introduced by Morris Lubricants, has become a valuable tool for the maintenance team. It enables them to record the tasks they carry out, making it easier to monitor progress and maintain accurate documentation. The system is particularly beneficial for apprentices, who need to keep detailed evidence of their work to demonstrate their development. As part of his apprenticeship, Jack was required to meet a range of criteria designed to ensure he gained the essential knowledge and practical skills needed to carry out his responsibilities effectively.
How has the investments into the factory affected your learning development?
Jack expressed that, “the business is continually investing in new equipment, so it is a great opportunity for me to work with the latest technology and develop my skills in new areas”. Since all the team have a variety of skill sets, we learn new things from each other too. Some of the team specialise in technical engineering, whilst others specialise in mechanical engineering and electrical engineering; this variety of knowledge means the team can learn from one another and share best practice across different disciplines.
Mark Crane – Maintenance manager
Mark Crane, Maintenance Manager at Morris Lubricants, has been with the company for 21 years. He explained that having team members who can work independently and with confidence is essential to maintaining high standards across the department. Mark added that one of his key priorities as a manager is to ensure every member of the team is both capable and self-assured, enabling them to apply their skills effectively across the wide range of critical tasks required on site.
As part of his role, Mark is also responsible for reviewing and signing off all reports issued to apprentices throughout their training, which allows him to closely oversee their development and monitor their progress.
Mark shared that the long-term plan for Jack is for him to progress into the role of lead engineer. Jack’s extensive knowledge of the company’s technical equipment, combined with his previous experience working within the Morris Lubricants factory, makes him a strong fit for this future position.
How is the newest apprentice, Oscar getting on?
Mark confidently explained that, “our newest apprentice Oscar is very keen with a lot of promise, he is also a great addition to the team with an incredible work ethic. Oscar is clever and applies himself very well to the role. Oscar is skilled in all areas, however, his predominant focus is on electrical engineering, so he has been shadowing one of our Maintenance Engineers, Paul Cox, who also specialises in this area”.
Morris Lubricants – Investing in the future
Jack’s achievement marks an important milestone not only in his own career but also for Morris Lubricants’ commitment to developing talented, highly skilled engineers for the future. His progression from the filling hall to a key role within the maintenance team demonstrates the value of investing in training, supporting apprentices and creating opportunities for growth within the business. With continued guidance from experienced colleagues such as Mark Crane, and the introduction of new technologies and systems that support learning and development, the maintenance team is well placed to meet the evolving technical demands of the site. Jack’s success, along with the progress of the current apprentices Oscar Tipton, Steve Llewellyn - who has been with the company for three years holding a Level 3 Engineering qualification and is in the final year of his Level 3 Electrical Maintenance qualification - and Luke Hibbert who has been with the company for nine years having completed his Level 2 Engineering, going onto begin his Level 3, reflects the strength, capability and forward-thinking approach of the department. This continued investment into the maintenance team here at Morris Lubricants, ensures the company remains equipped with the expertise needed to support reliable, efficient and high-quality manufacturing for years to come.