30/04/2026
Yesterday, on the way back from a site visit in Kent, I had the pleasure of catching up with one of my former sheet metal instructors from the Royal School of Military Engineering (1RSME), Mr Wilkes.
It was great to reconnect after so many years. Although now retired, he’s still fabricating some incredible pieces in his spare time.
As we begin looking to take on an apprentice, it’s really made me reflect on just how much I gained from my time at 1RSME. The knowledge, standards, and mindset instilled by some of the country’s best instructors and tradespeople have stayed with me ever since.
Even now, when a job isn’t going to plan, I still hear Andy and Pat’s voices:
“It’s just a piece of metal. Step away, grab a coffee, and come back with a fresh head.”
That simple advice has helped me more times than I can count. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
It’s also shaped how we work as a team. If someone’s stuck, the first question isn’t “why aren’t you working?”—it’s “are you alright?”
There’s real value in collaboration, but also in giving people the space to figure things out and grow their own skillset.
Taking on an apprentice now feels like a big responsibility. It’s a reminder that we owe it to the next generation to pass on not just skills, but patience, standards, and the right mindset.
Because 20 years on, the lessons from those instructors are still with me every day.
Has anyone else had something said by a mentor that’s stuck with them over the years?
