CONGRATULATIONS JAMIE LAU – Our newly qualified Lab Technician

This year’s National Apprenticeship theme – Skills for Life – couldn’t be more fitting. Jamie’s journey through the apprenticeship programme has seen him develop his technical expertise, real-world confidence and resilience.

I had the opportunity to catch up with him recently and he shared more insights into what has been a truly intensive yet rewarding moment. Read on to find out more.

Say hello (again) to Jamie

Jamie joined us around 15 months ago as a TIRO Apprentice Lab Technician, working closely with our consultant chemist Trevor while studying TIRO’s apprenticeship programme. Today, we’re delighted to announce he’s achieved his Level 3 and is now a fully-fledged Lab Technician here at Petrarch Panels.

We recently caught up with Jamie to reflect on his journey, the challenges he overcame, and what it means to have reached this milestone.

So Jamie, congratulations on completing your Level 3! 

How does it feel to now be a qualified Lab Technician?

Thanks! It feels amazing. It’s been a long journey, but all the hard work has definitely paid off. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved, especially when I think back to how much I’ve developed; not just in terms of my knowledge, but all-round really, it’s been full-on. 

Patrick (Operations Director) mentioned that the testing phase of the apprenticeship programme was intensive? Could you talk me through it?

Yes, it was. I was so nervous, I barely slept the night before if I am honest, I felt anxious. I had revised and prepared, but still, it was nerve-racking. Luckily the TIRO team and my direct management team gave me the reassurance I needed. The first day was a mix of adrenalin and anxiety. There was a 3 hour observation stage; it’s strange to carry out your work being analysed, but it’s all a necessary part of the programme. On the second day, there was a 75 minute Q&A with the assessor, along with an interview. I didn’t realise I could speak for that long, however the answers came naturally and I do feel that the apprenticeship has given me the confidence to talk through my reasonings with ease. 

What would you say has been one of your biggest accomplishments during your apprenticeship?

Without a doubt having the chance to explore, get to grips and enhance our colour-matching process. It’s one of the most challenging and rewarding parts of the job. You’re not just creating something that looks good, but an end product which stands up to tough tests too, and some colours react very differently. I do enjoy that challenge. Some colours are especially tricky, but I’ve reached a point now where I can approach complex mixes with confidence and get great results. That feels like a real accomplishment. Recently I’ve been working on an exciting project for our US distributor, Omnis, and it’s really opened doors to what we can achieve from a colour perspective, which is extremely rewarding. 

Has the experience been what you expected when you started out?

Honestly, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. But it’s been better than I could have imagined. Being able to learn hands-on, in a real lab, with real project just speeds up your learning so much. Plus, the support from everyone has made a huge difference.

Can you tell us a bit about that support?

Trevor has been a fantastic mentor. He’s shared so much knowledge and always encouraged me to ask questions, experiment, and keep learning. Aaron, my tutor at TIRO, has been equally brilliant; always there to support, guide and motivate me to keep moving forward. And the Petrarch team overall has been incredibly welcoming and invested in my progress.

What’s next for you now you’ve completed your Level 3?

Now that I’m fully qualified, I’m really excited to continue developing in the lab. I have decided to undertake the natural next step, focusing on my specialism – Material Science, 4 years of further study which is the equivalent of a BA Hons. I feel ready for that. I’m looking forward to further refining our colour-matching processes and material production in general, and maybe even mentoring new apprentices in the future. I’m proud to be part of Petrarch’s innovation journey.

What kind of material innovations would you like to see and perhaps implement?

Sustainability and ethically sourced raw materials is something that’s important to me. I’m proud of the fact that our Petrarch reconsituted stone rainscreen panels are created predominantly from crushed marble and stone, by-product material which would otherwise go to landfill. (Min 75%.) More of this would be great and as a team it’s a priority to continue to champion sustainability and greener methods of production. We don’t use water for example in our panel production, helping to save an essential world resource. There is so much potential to enhance things further, and I’m continually looking to how we rationalise our recipes to accelerate workflow too. 

And outside the lab?

Still the same, nothing changed on that score. I enjoy gaming, catching up with mates and never miss a Brighton match if I can help it!

Tell us something people might not know about you.

I actually studied animal husbandry at college before moving into science and lab work – quite the switch!

A few words from the team…

Patrick Golding, Operations Director

“Huge congratulations to Jamie on this brilliant achievement. From day one, he’s shown enthusiasm, determination, and a real eye for detail – especially in the specialist field of colour development. It’s been great to see his skills grow, and we’re thrilled to now have him with us as a qualified Lab Technician. He has played a crucial role in helping to develop our Petrarch panel recipes to date and is very hands-on. What’s remarkable for someone as relatively young as Jamie, is the commercial acumen; that’s rare to find and we are very appreciative of this mindset. Collaboration is also important to Jamie and that’s refreshing, he is a true team player. Thank you also to Trevor, Aaron, and the whole TIRO team for supporting Jamie through this journey.”

Hayley Hannaford, TIRO Account Manager

“Jamie’s success is a great example of what can happen when you combine committed learners, expert support, and a workplace like Petrarch that really champions its apprentices. His growth, particularly in such a complex technical area like colour-matching, is so impressive. We’re proud to have played a part in his journey.”

Apprenticeships in action

Jamie’s story reminds us why apprenticeships matter – not only do they equip individuals with skills for life, but they also fuel innovation and growth for the businesses that invest in them. Petrarch is proud to continue building a skilled, confident and creative workforce through these valuable programmes.

We’re excited to see where Jamie’s career takes him next and look forward to welcoming future apprentices into the team.