At Gregor Heating & Renewables, apprenticeships aren’t just a pathway into the industry, they’re a cornerstone of how we build a skilled, confident and professional workforce for the future.
This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re proud to celebrate our apprentices and the people who support them every step of the way. One of those people is Ross Baker, our new Apprenticeship Mentor.
Supporting Apprentices Where It Matters Most
Ross joined Gregor in his new role on 1st December 2025, bringing with him over 15 years’ experience as an on-site engineer. Having spent many years working directly on projects, Ross understands the realities of life on site, and the challenges apprentices can face while learning the trade.
Gregor recognised the need for a dedicated middle point between busy engineers, the college and apprentices who sometimes need extra guidance, time or reassurance. That’s where Ross comes in.
“Sometimes apprentices need help and guidance, and engineers are busy on the job. My role is to guide them, give them extra training and support when they need it.”
Ross’s week is varied, he rotates around sites and apprentices can book time with him for one-to-one support, whether that’s preparing for an upcoming assessment, building confidence, or getting extra help with technical skills.
A Role Built on Experience, and Care
After stepping away from Gregor to pursue a career as a personal trainer, Ross was asked to return in this newly created role – which blended his experience as an engineer and a coach. The opportunity to work closely with apprentices and help shape their development was something that really appealed to him.
“It sounded rewarding — being able to work alongside apprentices and see them grow.”
That reward is evident in the variety of work Ross supports across Gregor’s apprenticeship programme.
Gregor currently has 15 apprentices spread across all four years of training, working mainly on site across new build projects, with some gaining experience in domestic settings and alongside engineers.
Ross’s role adapts to where each apprentice is in their journey.
“With first years, it might be helping them with measurements or cutting pipes for radiators. With fourth years, it’s preparing them for their gas assessments — commissioning, tightness testing, making sure they’re where they need to be before assessment.”
Blending College Learning with Real-World Experience
Gregor apprentices attend On Site College in Bristol one day a week, where their learning is supported by structured training and dedicated training officers. The rest of the week, they’re out on live jobs, always paired with an experienced engineer.
Ross works closely with both the apprentices and the college framework.
“The work we focus on is led by their college portfolio and what they need to complete, but Gregor also has its own expectations of what apprentices should achieve by the end of each year.”
Ross recently visited the On-Site College to better understand the apprentices’ learning environment and align on-site training with what’s being taught in the classroom.
Building Confidence, Community and Belonging
Technical skills are only part of the picture. Confidence and support play a huge role in an apprentice’s success.
Ross has created a WhatsApp group where apprentices can share photos of their work, ask questions, encourage each other and celebrate progress. It’s helped build a strong sense of community across the group.
Every quarter, Gregor also recognises outstanding effort by awarding an Apprentice of the Quarter, who receives £200 towards tools.
“It makes them feel part of the company. We bring everyone together for a training day, cover compliance, and then announce the winner.”
Even once apprentices qualify, Gregor doesn’t stop supporting them.
“Most stay on after the four years and go out onto site, but we still keep an eye on them.”
Watching Confidence Grow
For Ross, the most rewarding part of the role is seeing apprentices grow in confidence.
“A lot of it comes down to confidence. They know more than they think they know.”
“To know I’m a small part in helping them grow through their apprenticeship means a lot. I often receive messages thanking me for the support I gave, which always makes my day”.
Investing in the Future of Heating & Renewables
Apprenticeships are essential to the future of the heating and renewables industry. At Gregor, we’re proud to invest time, care and expertise into developing the next generation of tradespeople — not just to meet today’s demand, but to uphold high standards for years to come.
This National Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate our apprentices, our mentors like Ross, and the commitment it takes to do training properly.
Because great engineers aren’t just trained — they’re supported, encouraged and believed in.