Careers aren’t always a straight line. Sometimes, the right path is found by experimenting, learning along the way and following what genuinely interests you.
That’s exactly what Ollie has done. His journey at OEC reflects how, with the right support and opportunities, people can carve out a role that plays to their strengths while adding real value to the business.
Meet Ollie
Ollie, now a Welder Apprentice, didn’t start out behind a welding mask. His journey began in our offices before moving into the yard and later operating specialist earthmoving machinery. But sitting still, whether in front of a computer or behind the wheel, was never on the cards.
“I wanted to be out there, making something with my own hands.”
That mindset naturally led him towards welding. Surrounded by heavy plant working with granite rock, where wear and damage are constant, Ollie began repairing equipment and creating practical solutions. He describes it as reinventing the wheel at times, making things OEC-proof. What started as small jobs quickly developed into a clearer career path.
Learning through experience
Although Ollie had a background in metalwork at school and years of hands-on experience, he chose to formalise his skills through an apprenticeship. He worked towards his qualifications at Hadlow Agricultural Colleges and Canterbury College, building on the fundamentals and expanding his knowledge across a broader range of techniques.
For Ollie, the real learning has always come from the job itself. In his view, college gave him access to a broader spectrum of applications but practice is what really taught him how to do things. After more than 10 years working with metal, his role goes far beyond welding alone. If it’s made of metal, he’ll be working on it.
Seeing the bigger picture
Having worked across multiple parts of the business, from office to plant operations and welding, Ollie has developed a unique understanding of how everything connects.
“It’s given me perspective. I’ve seen all sides of it, how things run and who to speak to. I don’t feel like a number here.”
That awareness shapes how he works day to day. He focuses not just on the task in front of him, but on what comes next, anticipating needs, preparing equipment in advance and making sure work is ready before it’s even asked for. It’s a mindset that comes from experience, but also from being trusted to take ownership.
A day in the yard
He likes to get in early, set up and get straight into the task at hand. No two days are the same. Sometimes he focuses on plant repairs, others on improving existing equipment. There’s a creative side to the work that people might not expect from an earthmoving company. When facing a challenging job, he takes a step back and walks around to look at things from a different perspective to find an alternative solution. It’s this balance of problem-solving and hands-on work that keeps the role engaging.
Building bespoke solutions
One project that stands out is a bespoke access platform Ollie helped design and build for a VSI crusher, one of the first machines of its kind in the UK. The challenge was simple: safe access was needed, but off-the-shelf solutions weren’t suitable. Ladders were too short, and existing options didn’t meet safety requirements.
Instead of compromising, Ollie, alongside other team members, engineered their own solution. After discussing possible ideas with his colleagues, he designed and fabricated a folding access platform from scratch, applying practical engineering know-how to create a safer, more reliable solution. Built with hinges for flexibility and ease of use, the platform provides safe, reliable access where it was previously difficult.
This is a clear example of how in-house expertise can improve safety and day-to-day operations.
A career, not just a job
For Ollie, the biggest achievement isn’t a single project, but the journey itself. Over the years, his work has taken him to the furthest edges of the UK, from windswept beaches and cliff edges to working on barges along the Thames.
“You get to see places most people wouldn’t. It’s challenging, especially working around water, but that’s part of the appeal.”
The future ahead
Ollie’s journey highlights what’s possible when people are given the space to explore different paths and find what suits them best. His progression reflects a wider culture at OEC: creating opportunities for people to grow, adapt and take ownership of their careers.
That progression is shaped by the people around him. Many within the business have grown with it, building long-term careers and remaining personally invested in its future. Long service isn’t just loyalty – it reflects an environment where people are trusted, developed and given real responsibility.
For Ollie, that means continuing to refine his craft, take on new challenges and keep improving the way things are done. For us, it’s another example of how investing in people leads to innovation, stronger teams and a far more capable workforce.
