Celebrating Success: John Challis Attains CSWIP 3.1 Qualification

Congratulations are in order for our colleague, John Challis (aka Beaky), who has triumphantly passed his CSWIP 3.1 training.

The CSWIP 3.1, a welding inspection qualification provided by TWI in Cambridge, is no small feat. John dedicated an entire week to intensive training, culminating in a challenging examination at the end.

Undoubtedly, this journey required dedication, hard work, and a keen eye for detail—qualities that John possesses in abundance. Despite initial reservations upon returning from the training, John tackled the challenge head-on with determination.

John’s success is a testament to his professional growth and the high standards he upholds in the realm of welding inspection.

Well done, Beaky—we’re proud to have you as part of our team!

Goodbye to Tom Render

As the year draws to a close, we bid a heartfelt goodbye to a cherished member of the Warren team, Tom Render.

Tom’s journey with us began back in 2010, a young enthusiast straight out of school. His connection with Warren started even earlier as a special “Young Apprentice” in the day release “Work Experience” scheme in conjunction with his school, the Rosemary Musker (now Thetford Academy), West Suffolk College and Warren.

Tom’s determination was evident from the start. Despite the school’s encouragement to continue into the sixth form, Tom knew his passion lay in becoming an engineer. Joining Warren as an apprentice in 2010, he embarked on a learning adventure with EAGIT in Norwich, earning his level 3 certificate.

Over the years, Tom has worn many hats within our organisation. From the initial apprenticeship, he transitioned through different areas, making his mark in milling and later settling into the turning area. His dedication and skill set have also led him to take on the role of a Quality Inspector.

Tom’s commitment isn’t limited to the workplace. Outside of his professional life, he has generously devoted his spare time to serving as a Special Constable (PCSO). His rise through the ranks to Inspector reflects not only his commitment to excellence but also his leadership qualities.

From a 15-year-old boy joining our ranks, Tom has undergone a significant transformation. Now happily married with a child and a home of his own, we’ve witnessed the remarkable journey of a young apprentice evolving into a seasoned professional.

Tom has become an integral part of Warren’s history. His contributions, growth, and the positive impact he’s had on his colleagues and mentors will be fondly remembered. As he steps into a new chapter of his career, we extend our warmest wishes for success and fulfilment.

To Tom, we say farewell with gratitude for the time, dedication, and spirit you brought to Warren. Remember, there will always be a place for you here should you decide to return in the future.

We wish Tom Render the very best in his new endeavours. Your journey with Warren may be ending, but the impact you’ve made will endure. Cheers to your future, Tom!

It’s Christmas Jumper Day!

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and at Warren, we’re not ones to miss out on the festive fun! As December rolls in, we decked the halls, adorned our workspaces with twinkling lights, and slipped into our cosiest Christmas jumpers to celebrate Christmas Jumper Day today – Thursday, 7th December.

Our team pulled out all the stops to showcase their individuality. There were snowflakes, reindeer, elves, and a few snowmen spotted on jumpers. The cheerful atmosphere resonated through the hum of machinery as we worked with an extra dose of enthusiasm!

As we approach the festive season, we’d like to inform our valued customers and partners about our Christmas and New Year opening hours:

📆 Closing for Christmas:

Friday, 22nd December at 2PM 🕑

🎉 Reopening for the New Year:

Tuesday, 2nd January at 6AM 🕕

From all of us at Warren, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and laughter. Merry Christmas!

 

Daniel Sobczyk Crushes the Press Up Challenge for a Great Cause.

In the spirit of determination and giving back, November witnessed an inspiring feat by our very own Daniel Sobczyk. Throughout the entire month, Daniel embraced the Press Up Challenge with unwavering commitment, conquering 100 press ups every single day.

We extend our gratitude to everyone who rallied behind Daniel, offering their support through sponsorship. Your generosity and encouragement played a crucial role in making this challenge a success.

Daniel’s dedication raised a total of £200 for Cancer Research UK.

Daniel’s Press Up Challenge serves as a reminder of the positive impact individuals can make when they channel their energy towards a cause they believe in.

 

Cailum Wilson’s Remarkable Academic Journey

In 2015,Our Founder Owner Richard Bridgman became an Honorary Fellow of UCS for his dedication to young people’s training, with a particular focus on West Suffolk College. Over the years, he has regularly attended the Graduation Ceremonies at Bury Cathedral, donning the traditional hat and gown, surrounded by graduates, their families, and friends. Richard says the atmosphere in the Cathedral has always been nothing short of incredible. Unfortunately, he had to miss this year’s ceremony as he was abroad.

This year holds a special significance for Warren Services, as Cailum Wilson, who commenced his journey as an Apprentice with us in 2016, achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first person from Warren to earn a degree. Despite Cailum leaving our team during his final year of study, his determination and perseverance led him to successfully complete the qualification. We take immense pride in Cailum’s accomplishment, a well-deserved recognition of his unwavering dedication.

The attached photo captures the moment CEO Nikos Savvas personally congratulated Cailum after the ceremony, fulfilling Richard’s request. Looking ahead, we are optimistic that we will have more reasons to celebrate during the next graduation day. Two of our current Apprentices are currently in the final year of their degree course, raising hopes for a double celebration in the near future!

A few words from Cailum:

“I joined Warren back in 2016 after finishing college. I wanted to join a degree apprenticeship program in-stead of attending university on a more traditional pathway. Through a mutual friend I got the opportunity to have a phone call/interview with Richard and Will, and they were kind enough to offer me some work experience before joining the degree apprenticeship.

“Over the next few years I got the opportunity to work in most of the departments at Warren, learning from some of the best engineers in the industry. While working I studied for my HNC/HND through West Suffolk College. After being in the workshop for 4 years I then moved into design and worked on prototyping ma-chines for various customers and studied for the last leg of my degree. In the last year I moved on to Mar-shalls ADG as a Systems Development Engineer. I can’t thank enough everyone at Warren for putting up with me during my apprenticeship and teaching me vital industry knowledge, including to check what fuel you are putting in the company truck!”

A Decade of Dedication: Neil Coker’s 10-Year Milestone!

This month (November), we proudly marked a significant milestone as Neil Coker completed a decade of unwavering commitment to our business. Neil embarked on his journey with us as a data analyst in the finance department, showcasing his talents right from the start. Recognising his capabilities, Neil quickly transitioned into various roles within the company, including Quality, Health and Safety, and Quality Management Systems.

Over the years, Neil has guided us through numerous audits, and our expectation on auditing is now higher than it ever was. Starting our BSI journey with a single accreditation, we now proudly hold four:

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems
ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Health and Safety Management
ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Systems
BS EN 1090-1:2009 + A1:2011 Execution of Steel and Aluminium Structures

Neil’s meticulous attention to detail and impeccable written communication have consistently set a high standard. He embodies the spirit of an employee who not only strives for excellence but also remains a steadfast and loyal member of our team. Interestingly, Neil is known for always apologising, even when he hasn’t put a foot wrong!

Despite the occasional ribbing Neil receives for the nature of his role, it’s crucial to acknowledge that he plays a pivotal part in maintaining a safe and compliant workplace, ensuring our continued success.

As we reflect on the past decade, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Neil for his tireless efforts, dedication, and instrumental role in navigating us through numerous customer audits, BSI audits, and HSE visits. Here’s to you, Neil – thank you for an outstanding 10 years!

New Career Opportunity – CNC Miller

Background – Warren Services Ltd is an established and highly successful Engineering Manufacturing business based in Thetford, Norfolk.  We have a permanent opportunity for a high caliber candidate to join the machine shop.  This is an excellent opportunity to join a rapidly growing and progressive organisation at an exciting time.

Reporting to: Milling Supervisor

Main Duties/Responsibilities

  • CNC experience is essential
  • Setting and Programming skills
  • Must be experienced to a good level but not necessarily apprentice trained
  • Fanuc based programming would be an advantage
  • Knowledge of Fusion 360 would be an advantage
  • You will be working independently a lot of the time
  • Experience in food, oil/gas aerospace would be an advantage.

Additional Duties

  • Undertake any other reasonable management request
  • To attend staff meetings when requested
  • Work flexibly where possible to support the business when needed
  • Attend training requested by the company which is linked to the development of your job role
  • Ensure waste is kept to a minimum to benefit both the company and the environment
  • Ensure your working area is kept tidy at all times and general housekeeping maintained to assist with H&S procedures.

Legal Duties

  • Attend any Health and Safety training when required
  • Ensure full compliance with all areas of Health and Safety as per company Health and Safety policy
  • Ensure full compliance with health and safety personal protective equipment including work boots, safety glasses, ear plugs, overalls as required by legislation and set out in company health and safety procedures.

Salary-depends on experience and qualifications.

Hours of work: 6.00am-2.00pm Monday to Friday with a 10 minute paid tea break and a 20 minute paid rest break. Any additional hours over 40 will be paid at overtime rate.

Benefits

  • 31 days holiday (incl. Bank Holidays, of which 3 must be taken at the Christmas shutdown)
  • Company Pension Scheme (eligible after a qualifying period)
  • Sick pay (eligible after a qualifying period)
  • Accident/Life Insurance (eligible after a qualifying period)

This job description is designed to help you in the understanding of your role and is not intended to be a definitive list of your duties as flexibility in meeting company needs is required by all employees

Please apply in writing to Estee Ross with a covering letter and CV: hr@warrenservices.co.uk

New Career Opportunity – Welder/Fabricator

Background- Warren Services Ltd is an established and highly successful Engineering Manufacturing business based in Thetford, Norfolk. We have a permanent opportunity for a high caliber candidate to join the Welding area. This is an excellent opportunity to join a rapidly growing and progressive organisation at an exciting time.

Reporting to – Welding & Fabrication Manager

Main Duties/Responsibilities

  • Skilled Fabricator and Welder
  • Must be confident with MIG Welding
  • Have the ability to work with steel of various thickness (Thin gauge – up to 30-40mm)
  • Able to interpret engineering drawings.

Preferred Skills:

  • Time served welder
  • Competent in quality control of own work

Personal Attributes:

  • Reliable
  • Conscientious
  • Works well under pressure
  • Problem solving approach
  • Able to work both independently and as part of a team.

Additional Duties

Undertake any other reasonable management request
To attend staff meetings when requested
Work flexibly where possible to support the business when needed
Attend training requested by the company which is linked to the development of your job role
Ensure waste is kept to a minimum to benefit both the company and the environment
Ensure your working area is kept tidy at all times and general housekeeping maintained to assist with H&S procedures.

Legal Duties

Attend any Health and Safety training when required.
Ensure full compliance with all areas of Health and Safety as per company Health and Safety policy. Ensure full compliance with health and safety personal protective equipment including work boots, safety glasses, ear plugs, overalls as required by legislation and set out in company health and safety procedures.

Salary – dependent on experience and qualifications.

Hours of work – 6am-2pm Monday to Friday OR
2.00pm-12.00pm Monday to Thursday OR
2.00pm-10.30pm Monday to Thursday and 1.30pm-7.30pm on Friday
with a 10 minute paid tea break and a 20 minute paid rest break. Any additional hours over 40 will be paid at overtime rate.

Benefits

  • 32 days holiday (incl. Bank Holidays, of which 3 must be taken at the Christmas shutdown)
  • Company Pension Scheme (eligible after a qualifying period)
  • Sick pay (eligible after a qualifying period)
  • Accident/Life Insurance (eligible after a qualifying period)

This job description is designed to help you in the understanding of your role and is not intended to be a definitive list of your duties as flexibility in meeting company needs is required by all employees.

Please apply in writing to Estee Ross with a covering letter and CV: hr@warrenservices.co.uk

Welcoming Four New Apprentices to Warren in 2023

At Warren, we are thrilled to announce the arrival of four new apprentices for the year 2023. These promising individuals will be embarking on a transformative journey in the field of engineering, and we couldn’t be more excited to have them on board.

4 new apprentices Reagit Norwich

A new beginning at Reagit training facility
Our four new starters have embarked on an educational adventure at the Reagit training facility in Norwich. This brand new institution is building a reputation for nurturing and developing young talent in various technical fields, making it the ideal place for these aspiring young people to kickstart their careers.

new welding apprentices Reagit Norwich

Level 2 General Welding Apprenticeships
All four of our apprentices have chosen to specialise in Level 2 welding. Welding is a critical skill in the world of engineering, and we are confident that these individuals will not only excel but also contribute significantly to the industry’s advancement.

Welding, often referred to as the “art of joining metals,” requires precision, skill, and a keen eye for detail. It plays a pivotal role in constructing everything from infrastructure to machinery, and our apprentices are set to become the craftsmen and craftswomen behind these essential creations.

A warm welcome to our new team members
Warren takes great pride in fostering young talent and providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. We believe in the power of education and hands-on experience to shape the engineers of tomorrow.

To our four new apprentices, we extend our warmest welcome. Your journey with us is not just an opportunity for personal growth but also a chance to contribute to the exciting field of engineering. We have no doubt that you will excel and become integral members of our team.

Wishing them a bright future
As our new apprentices begin their studies and practical training, we want to wish them all the best for their future endeavours. The path ahead may be challenging, but it’s also filled with incredible opportunities for learning, innovation, and personal growth.

At Warren, we are committed to supporting our apprentices every step of the way. We look forward to seeing them grow, develop, and ultimately, leave their mark on the world of engineering.

Welcome to Warren, and here’s to a bright and successful future!

Warren 4 new apprentices welding

Welder Luke’s Farewell Bash: A Night to Remember!

On Saturday 2nd September, Warren bid a fond farewell to one of its finest, Luke Elder. Luke’s leaving drinks turned out to be an epic celebration filled with laughter, good times, and heartfelt goodbyes.

Over 20 of us gathered to give Luke the send-off he deserved, as colleagues, friends, and well-wishers joined forces to make the evening unforgettable.

Our journey through the night took us to a couple of local pubs and then onto a couple of lively bars. The night unfolded with lots of drinks, and dancing.

Luke showed incredible restraint, opting not to indulge in the drinks, as he had an early departure to Gatwick the following day! Luke is embarking on a year-long adventure in Australia, combining work and travel. While it’s a loss for us here at Warren, we can’t help but feel excited for Luke’s upcoming experiences and the stories he’ll bring back.

To Luke, we wish you the most incredible journey Down Under!