Seta Stories - David And Anthony Ambler

Meet David and Anthony

David started his career as an apprentice at Seta, and now works at Siemens PLC which designs and manufactures products and systems ranging from traffic lights, gas turbines and turbine spares to superconducting magnets.

His son, Anthony has followed in his footsteps, by completing a Seta apprenticeship at Schiedel Chimney Systems Ltd - a leading flue and chimney manufacturer based in Washington.

It seems like engineering runs in the Ambler family!

So what are their stories?  

Let’s find out!

Tell us about your career journeys…

David: I first started with Seta in 1989 as a toolmaking apprentice. I did the first year of the apprenticeship at Seta and then for the following three years I worked at Grundfos in Washington. I remember when Grundfos said they would take me on, I was so excited!

After Grundfos, I went to work as a Toolmaker and Technical Coordinator at TRW Automotive before returning to Seta where I worked as a Training Supervisor teaching milling, and I also had the role of Health and Safety Officer.

After spending nine years training apprentices at Seta, I was appointed Health and Safety Trainer at Siemens, and I’ve held a number of roles there since then, including Centre Coordinator, where I put my experience of working with apprentices to good use by training Siemens’ apprentices. I’m now Quality Assurance Manager for Siemens, which is a global role, and I oversee the quality of our apprenticeship programmes.

Anthony: I did a Mechatronics Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship through Seta, which I started in 2020 when I was 16. After doing my initial training at Seta, I continued the apprenticeship by working at an employer, Schiedel, and when the apprenticeship finished, they took me on as a Mechatronics Technician. I really enjoy it! No two days are the same and I love the feeling I get when equipment I have been working on works perfectly.

Next, I’d like to do a HNC and I am also planning on taking an 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations course. I will be building on what I learned during my apprenticeship.

What drove you to take up a career in engineering?

David: My dad was a lecturer in engineering at Sunderland University and that inspired me to take up engineering as career.

Anthony: I have always been interested in engineering, even before I knew what my dad did. I enjoyed watching videos on how people made things. I had a 3D printer, a lathe and a bench sander at home.

It wasn’t until Year 10 when I was considering my career options that I began looking at an apprenticeship, under guidance from my dad. In effect, I was able to turn a hobby into a career.

David: From when he was very young, we knew Anthony was going to be an engineer, he was always taking things apart to see how they worked - the problem was that he would never put them back together again!

Can you describe your learning experience at Seta?

David: Looking back, I had a fantastic time at Seta, I would never change it. I wanted to go into the training centre every day because I always knew I was going to learn something new.

Anthony: The experience of working with the instructors was very valuable, they were always there to help. I learned so much at Seta and it has given me a great foundation for what I want to do with my career. It was a fantastic starting point and for me it was the best route into employment.

What makes Seta stand out as an apprenticeship provider?

David: The staff are very passionate about engineering and skills, and they have also worked in industry. They can pass on that wealth of experience they have and take the teaching one step further because of that.

Also, Seta has all of the equipment engineering apprentices need too. The workshop is like a golden nugget in Washington! Seta has never been shy in ensuring that the learners have the right kit.

Anthony: You just get more out of training at Seta than you would do at college. You get the experience of going to work while learning at the same time. Seta puts you on the right track.

Find out how you can start your story with a Seta apprenticeship here.

View our current apprenticeship vacancies.