--- title: Our former apprentice still learning 26 years later | TMH UK description: Mark Humphrey started his career with a Toyota Apprenticeship in 1995 and has since developed his career and is now a Service Manager 27 years later. --- [Skip to content](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/our-former-apprentice-still-learning-26-years-later#main-content) [Go to toyota-forklifts.co.uk](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/) [| Blog](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/) [Covid-19 Update](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/news-and-editorials/our-commitment-to-supporting-the-logistics-of-vital-supplies/) [Brexit Statement](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/about-toyota/news-and-editorials/brexit-impact-statement/) Customer Service [Customer Service](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/customer-service/) [Contact local Sales office](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/) [FAQ](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/faqs/) **Call us** New & used trucks: 0370 850 1409 Service support: 0370 850 1402 Rental: 0370 850 1403 Parts support: 0370 850 1404 Operator training: 0370 850 1405 **Open Hours** Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm [Send us an e-mail](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/customer-support/contact-us/), we will get back to you. 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[\< Back to blog](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/blog) February 4, 2022 # Our former apprentice still learning 26 years later 2 minutes to read [Blogs](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/tag/blogs) Mark Humphrey started his career with a [Toyota Apprenticeship](https://toyota-forklifts.co.uk/) in 1995 and has since developed his career and is now a Service Manager 27 years later. When did you do the Toyota Apprenticeship?![My Profile](https://blog.toyota-forklifts.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/My%20Profile.jpg?width=300&name=My%20Profile.jpg) I started the apprenticeship in 1995 and have worked at Toyota ever since. What made you want to do an apprenticeship? I wanted to learn a trade. My Dad was a forklift driver and used to take me to work with him and it was interesting watching him. I always wanted to fix things; the inspiration came from my Grandad – he would fix everything. How did you find the apprenticeship? It was a plant machinery apprenticeship back then and I did one day a week for 3 years based in a workshop. The skills that I picked up during my apprenticeship set me up for life. It also boosted my confidence, there’s nothing I’m scared of now, I will have a go at anything. Can you tell us a little bit about your career following the apprenticeship? My first full time job was as an On-Site Engineer, I learnt so much there. An opportunity then came up for a field engineer role – I was in this role for 5 years and gained a lot of experience. I then got a job as a Customer Service Manager for 2 years; this was a big step and I covered a range of areas. I then became a Service Team Manager in which I was the leader of a small team of engineers. I was then promoted to Service Support Manager which was a more technical and compliance-based role, which I did for 3 years. I was then promoted to Service Manager for the South East in which I looked after everything in the South East region, including a team of 40 engineers. I am now Service Manager for the South responsible for 130 people. Would you recommend working at Toyota and the apprenticeship scheme? When I had my interview as an Apprentice I was told if you join this company, you have a job for life and I am still here 27 years later. There will always be a job for you here, somebody will always need to move a pallet. I have learned so much through the apprenticeship and also through the various roles I have undertaken over the years at Toyota. There is so much job satisfaction that comes from being a forklift engineer, fixing somebody’s truck so that they can keep their business moving and their livelihood going is priceless! 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