Like father, like son: a family legacy in engineering at WKE

This National Apprenticeship Week, we’re shining a light on one of WKE’s inspiring father-son duos – Kai and Anthony Leckenby.

Kai is a mechanical engineering apprentice, building his skills for the future, while his dad, Anthony, is a shift manager with a military background who found his second career at WKE.

In these Q&As, they share their experiences, career goals, and what it’s like working side by side. From military discipline to hands-on learning, their journey highlights the value of apprenticeships and the opportunities that come with them.

Q&A with Kai Leckenby, mechanical engineering apprentice at WKE

How long have you been with WKE and when will you complete your apprenticeship?

I’ve been at WKE for just over one year now and I am set to finish my apprenticeship in two years.

What is your favourite part of the apprenticeship?

Learning new things each week, especially the background and foundations of mechanical engineering. While I have been a plant operator and helping the fitters do work, I have been enjoying learning and getting stuck in.

What is your future career goal?

To be a fully qualified mechanical engineer, here at WKE.

What advice would you give to someone transitioning from the military to an engineering career?

The best advice I could give would be to get into it as soon as you can. It’s a great job to do – and the pay is also really good.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I am responsible for making sure the plant is running successfully. If any maintenance needs doing, I will work alongside the mechanical fitter to ensure the job is completed.

Looking back, what are you most proud of since starting your apprenticeship?

I think that I have become far more independent – and am now able to successfully complete jobs by myself. I also have far more knowledge in mechanical engineering, and the work of WKE itself.

Do you think any of the skills you gained in the military apply to your current role as a mechanical engineering apprentice?

While working in the army, I gained a great ability to communicate and remained disciplined, and this has helped me throughout my apprenticeship and with the work I do here at WKE.

If you had to describe your apprenticeship experience in three words, what would they be and why?

Exciting, knowledgeable and testing.

What’s it like working alongside your dad Anthony at WKE?

Working alongside my dad is great. Despite seeing him here every day, in these walls I just see him as another one of my colleagues.

Q&A with Anthony Leckenby, shift manager at WKE

How did you come to work at WKE?

After serving in The British Army for 24 years, I worked in a few different roles across a few different companies, but I just couldn’t settle in – I didn’t know what I wanted to do as a second career.

After some thought, I reached out to someone I knew who was working at WKE. After an interview, I was offered a job as a plant operator before being given the opportunity to become shift manager.

How has it been working with your son, Kai?

It’s amazing being able to work with Kai – and I hope I have been able to play a positive influence in his career at WKE. It’s not often a father and son get that opportunity!

Are you pleased with how Kai’s apprenticeship is going?

I’m extremely proud of Kai for taking up the opportunity to do an apprenticeship with WKE. He works incredibly hard with his college work and always listens to the Mechanical Fitters who have taken him under their wing.

What is the most rewarding thing about working for WKE?

For me, the most rewarding thing is the teamwork and camaraderie. It’s the first time since leaving the army that I enjoy coming to work again.

I like the fact that every day is different, and I welcome the challenges that come with each shift. We have a great senior management team which offers plenty of support – and this makes a massive difference to a workplace.

For more information on National Apprenticeship Week please click here.