Harry Howarth is at the start of his career journey with Atlas Copco Group, building hands-on experience as an Apprentice Service Engineer at PPS. With a passion for mechanical work already shaped by time spent working on bikes and cars, Harry has quickly developed his skills in the field, learning directly from experienced engineers.
From his first day’s shadowing to now confidently carrying out servicing work, Harry shares what it’s been like stepping into full-time work, how he’s finding the transition, and what he’s learning along the way.
Who or what has had the biggest impact on your development so far?
The engineers at PPS have had the biggest impact on my development. I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside all of them, and each person has taught me something different. Some specialise more in electrical work, while others bring a wealth of hands-on experience and knowledge.
Every week is different, sometimes I’ll spend the whole week with one engineer, and other weeks I’ll be working with someone new each day. It’s a great environment to learn in, and there’s always something new to pick up.
What’s the one moment in your early careers journey that made you think, “Yeah… I’m actually doing this”?
That moment came when I started carrying out servicing work myself, rather than just shadowing. Now I feel confident completing most servicing tasks independently, and I’ve also been involved in several overhauls. That’s when it really started to feel real.
How did you figure out what you wanted to do and are you still figuring it out?
I knew I wanted to do an apprenticeship because I’ve always enjoyed hands-on mechanical work, especially working on bikes and cars with my older brother.
A family friend recommended looking into compressed air, which led me to PPS. I completed a week of work experience there and really enjoyed it, so I applied for the apprenticeship and I’m still building on what I want to do as I learn more every day.
What was the biggest surprise about starting your first full-time role?
The biggest surprise was the hours. Moving straight from school into full-time work means longer days, but it’s rewarding, you feel like you’re achieving something and making a real contribution.
