Jay Ross

Jay, from Sheffield, studied at Ecclesfield School and left after GCSEs. He then attended Barnsley College to do a BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport Level 3, a 2-year full time course.

This was his second option, and he realised he wasn’t enjoying it, wanting to coach sport but the course was more theoretical than practical.

Following a trip to the AMRC-Training Centre, he was matched up with Kostal, an auto parts manufacturer, and did a year, 9 months not at company. Then Covid happened, and he was furloughed for much of 2020, then made redundant.

He then started at Agemaspark in September 2020, aged 20, and was able to finish off full-time at college for 6 weeks, then attended day release at college, with 4 days a week in Agemaspark. He studied Level 3 NVQ in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Toolmaker and Tool & Die Maintenance Technician, and has one year left to complete.

Jay wanted to learn hands-on skills, yet be paid while learning, so the apprenticeship route was very suitable for him.

Jay’s advice for young people:

“It’s not as easy as it sounds, but by doing something that leads to a job, there’s a better guarantee the company won’t just throw you away after you have completed. Try your best to get interviews, keep going, and just keep applying.”