Page 74 • The HERALD • 2nd April 2026 v WE’VE BEEN YOUR LOCAL SINCE 1994 v ASK A PROFESSIONAL Call our Waterside Team For a free initial meeting on Wills, Probate or Powers of Attorney Jasper Vincent Solicitors Unit 1 Chevron Business Park Lime Kiln Lane Holbury Southampton SO45 2QL Tel: 023 8089 0919 e: waterside@jaspervincent.com www.jaspervincent.com Out of hours appointments are available on request ExxonMobil Fawley Now Recruiting 75th Anniversary Apprentices ExxonMobil Fawley is recruiting its next group of apprentices, as part of its long-standing commitment to developing future engineering talent. In a call for budding engineers to nd their future at the petrochemical complex, successful applicants will be among those recruited during the site’s milestone 75th anniversary. e ExxonMobil Fawley apprenticeship programme, which started in 1952, has graduated over 200 apprentices in the last 20 years, with over half continuing at the site today. Last year’s intake saw 11 recruits begin the three-year Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship, developing specialist skills across Instrumentation, Electrical and Mechanical pathways. For many, opportunity represents the start of a clear career direction, with structured training, hands-on experience and dedicated mentorship. Among last year’s apprenticeship intake were Sophie Hall, omas Headley, Dylan Harrison and Callum Robins. Sophie, who is on the Instrumentation pathway, initially studied beauty at college. Realising she was more drawn to practical, hands-on work, she decided to pursue an apprenticeship, a decision she now describes as life changing. “I was terrified at first,” she said. “But everyone has been so supportive, and the mentoring has been incredibly valuable. The ExxonMobil Women’s Interest Network, a group created for female employees, has been a huge help. I have monthly meetings with a female mentor who acts as a brilliant role model. They’ve shown me that there are no barriers here. As women, we all bring something different to the table.” Joining Sophie is omas, whose route into engineering was shaped by both local roots and hands-on experience. Having grown up close to the Fawley complex, omas was always aware of the scale of operations on site but initially pursued a di erent path, training as a deck o cer. “Spending time in the engine room was the turning point for me,” he said. “I realised I enjoyed the technical side far more, so I made the decision to change direction and apply for the apprenticeship.” omas now splits his time between college study and practical, on-site training, where he works closely alongside experienced technicians. “What surprised me most was just how big the site is and how many different areas there are,” he added. “There’s a huge amount of knowledge here and learning from people who have worked on site for years is invaluable.” While many school-leavers consider university as the next step, for Dylan and Callum the apprenticeship route o ered a more practical and immediate way into engineering. “For me, learning by doing was important. The apprenticeship means I’m gaining qualifications while working on unique equipment you simply wouldn’t find in a classroom,” said Electrical apprentice Dylan. Callum, also on the Electrical pathway, added: “You’re paired with experienced technicians who guide you through everything. My mentor has been brilliant at showing me procedures and helping me understand the details behind what we’re doing. “There’s such a depth of knowledge on site and being able to learn from that every day is a huge advantage.” e closing date for ExxonMobil Fawley’s Maintenance Engineering Apprenticeship Programme is Sunday 12th April 2026. To nd out more, visit: jobs.exxonmobil.com (search ‘Fawley’). Left to right: Thomas Headley, Sophie Hall, Dylan Harrison, Callum Robins
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