Apprentice Raqeem shares journey at Briggs
We had the pleasure of gaining valuable insight into Field Engineer, Raqeem’s, journey at Briggs Equipment.
From starting out as an Engineer Apprentice to winning Apprentice of the Year in 2023 and progressing into his current role as a Field Service Engineer. Raqeem’s journey highlights the success and opportunities offered through the Briggs Equipment Apprenticeship programme.
What is your job role at Briggs Equipment? Field service engineer.
How long have you been working at Briggs Equipment? Coming up to 5 years.
What different roles have you had during your time at Briggs Equipment? I started with Briggs in 2021 as a Field Apprentice Engineer and progressed to a Field Service Engineer at the end of my 4-year apprenticeship in 2025.
What does your current job role involve? Attending a wide range of customer sites to complete preventative maintenance work as well as fault-finding and diagnostic breakdowns across the full Briggs product line and customer-owned equipment. Day to day, I communicate with various customers and my regional service controller to ensure my workload is planned as efficiently as possible.
What do you enjoy most about your role? The problem-solving aspect—finding the root cause of complex faults across a wide range of machinery, with the goal of returning equipment back to service as quickly and safely as possible.
What is your proudest moment as part of the team? Being awarded Apprentice of the Year 2023. It was an achievement that wouldn’t have been possible without the support and guidance of my colleagues, who shared their wealth of knowledge with me throughout my apprenticeship.
What do you hope to achieve at Briggs within the coming years? To continue developing my technical knowledge across the full and expanding range of equipment Briggs offers.
What made you decide to start an apprenticeship at Briggs? Briggs offered a structured pathway into an essential industry that many people don’t know much about or take for granted. I knew I wanted to work in a hands-on environment and gain experience on a diverse product line.
How has completing an apprenticeship helped you progress your career? Completing the apprenticeship built directly on the foundational engineering skills I began learning in college. That growth enabled me to complete my Level 4 in Diagnostic Engineering following my Level 3 qualification. Working alongside experienced colleagues thoroughly prepared me to transition confidently into my role as a Field Service Engineer.
Why would you recommend an apprenticeship to someone considering one at Briggs Equipment? The opportunity to learn from experienced engineers who are genuinely willing to share their knowledge, combined with the comprehensive technical and product training Briggs provides, sets apprentices up for long-term personal and professional growth.
What advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship at Briggs Equipment? Be curious, ask as many questions as possible, and be prepared to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t worry about making mistakes—that’s often when you learn the most.
