Hanover apprentice Jack Humphrey is using his experience to help young people in East Sussex map out a career using the power of science, technology engineering and maths (STEM).

Jack, aged 21, a trainee at Hanover, has become a company ambassador to highlight the opportunities for bright thinking at the business.

Based in Lewes, Hanover has a global reputation for high technology passenger information systems for the public transport sector.

It has an extensive track record of investing in its people, including apprentices, who are seen as vital to the success of the business overall.

Jack, one of three apprentices at the company’s head office, is now sharing his story on the Hanover website, newsletter and publicity material, to give potential recruits first-hand insight into the opportunities available.

Jack said: “Most days there is a sense that I have learnt something completely new, and as an apprentice that’s really important.

“It’s challenging and rewarding. The work culture is great and the emphasis is very much on quality, reliability and putting our customers first.

“The right people are in the right places so that apprentices have the opportunity to really move forward.”

Jack’s apprenticeship is managed by SIGTA, an independent Sussex based training provider. As a SIGTA apprentice he receives regular visits to monitor and review his progress, overseen in-house and through college training, to help him achieve his qualifications

The study element has included Electronics at Crawley College in West Sussex, and Jack is now doing a HNC in Manufacturing.

He added: “What has been really useful to me is the chance to combine work and study.

“It’s also been a great opportunity to see the operations of all Hanover’s production and non-production departments, to get a complete overview of the business.

“I like Computer Aided Design (CAD) and the machinery aspect also, particularly the installation, programming and maintenance elements.

“As an apprentice, you can get time to see what is really of interest to you personally and figure out where you want to focus on in the future.”

Sean Winter, Operations Manager at Hanover, said: “Jack is a great example of the opportunities available for committed, keen people with an interest in STEM.

“It is great that he is sharing his experience at Hanover to support us in the search for new talent, and to promote the value of STEM learning in the East Sussex area.”