Insights

The Apprentice: Meet Kyle ‘Baz’ Wordsworth

Feb 1, 2021

This week, we had the opportunity to chat with Kyle ‘Baz’ Wordsworth, an Apprentice Engineer with Oracle Vision. He talks all about his respect for the company’s founders and his love of pizza.

 

What does your apprenticeship at Oracle Vision involve?

 

It’s very hands-on, working with cameras, access control and intruder alarms. I also have a lot of coursework to complete. My training provider has been very helpful throughout the process.

 

What are you hoping to get out of your apprenticeship?

 

Ultimately, I’d just like to be a really good engineer. I want to become qualified and be fully dependable in the next six months. My goal is to get to a place where my knowledge-base is good enough to take on more responsibility. Further on from that, I’d like to become one of the main engineers. I’d just really like to know everything, to be a good engineer and someone that customers can rely on.

 

How has it been, being an apprentice during the COVID-19 pandemic?

 

It’s a tough one, the work has stayed the same – we’re usually quite socially mixed during the work, but of course now there aren’t a lot of people around. Being an apprentice has been quite difficult, as I haven’t been able to go to college or work on what my training provider needs me to do. It might be that I can go once every four or five weeks instead and they may delay assessments for a few months. Oracle Vision has been very supportive, and if it came to a point where I needed to work on specific things, they would make time for me to work on it for my coursework and end-point assessments. They are really helpful.

 

What drew you to Oracle Vision?

 

Luckily, I’d had positive reviews from my uncle who used to work here. I worked in IT beforehand, and have always liked computers, but IT wasn’t what I thought it would be. I liked the idea of working with cameras and security, and of course they’re network-based. Oracle Vision were looking for an apprentice, so I showed my interest to them.

 

What makes Oracle Vision special, or different?

 

In some of the bigger companies, you’re just seen as a number, here at Oracle Vision you’re seen as an individual. You’re not just a worker, there’s more of a family feel. The engineers are all good friends, and the staff in the office are helpful. Regarding Chris and Tim as directors, they deserve so much respect. They’re really approachable and I know I could phone either of them about anything.

 

How would you describe the company in three words?

 

 

Respectable, customer-first, efficient – it’s really tough to nail down just three!

 

So Kyle, what do you enjoy most about your work here?

 

My biggest thing is seeing customers happy with the work I’ve done and making sure their systems are working to a standard that they’re happy with. The work I’ve completed needs to be solid and I like to know that there won’t be any problems when I leave. The respect and gratitude that I receive from our customers means the world to me.

 

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not here?

 

I play semi-professional football on the weekends and also love running, especially during lockdown. I used to go out on the weekend with friends, but obviously we can’t do that in the current circumstances.

 

If you could spend the day with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and what would you do?

 

It would have to be Ian Curtis from Joy Division. I’d probably go for a drink with him and just listen to his music all day.

 

OK, time for the all-important quick-fire round:

 

First gig? When I was about 15, I went to see my friends play in a band – They were called The Connollys.

Last gig? Kings of Leon in Leeds. Pickup Truck is my favourite song of theirs.

Favourite food? 100% pizza, any pizza, any toppings. I don’t mind a stuffed-crust but prefer stone-baked.

Favourite drink? Dr Pepper. Pretty apt at the moment, given that their slogan is “What’s the worst that could happen!”

Favourite place in the world? Berlin, without a shadow of a doubt. It was so unbelievably cool, especially how so much of it was rebuilt. It really does have a wonderful history about it.

Favourite film? Inception – Christoper Nolan is my favourite director.

Favourite TV show? Only Fools and Horses

Favourite book? It’s a podcast called ‘Under the Cosh’. It’s pretty much just different footballers and sportspeople chatting.

Learn about the rest of the team, or check out our interviews with them in our ‘Insights‘ section.