From apprentice to Project Engineer: Billy's story at OryxAlign

When Billy joined OryxAlign nearly 12 years ago, he was looking for somewhere he could continue building his career after beginning an apprenticeship in IT.

Today, he's a Project Engineer, deploying new systems and upgrading existing environments for clients. During his time at OryxAlign, he's progressed across multiple technical teams, continuously developing his skills and taking on new opportunities along the way.

Here, Billy reflects on his career journey, what has kept him at OryxAlign for over a decade, and why the people continue to make the biggest difference.

What type of roles did you do before OryxAlign?

I only had one role before OryxAlign, and that was an apprenticeship at another managed service provider. It was a much smaller company with around seven people, so everyone was doing a bit of everything. I worked on the Service Desk, did some on-site work and then, after about a year, I left and joined OryxAlign.

What's your role at OryxAlign, and how would you describe what you do in one sentence? 

I'm a Project Engineer, mainly focused on deploying new systems and upgrading existing environments for clients.

How long have you been with the company, and what initially attracted you to join? 

I've been at OryxAlign for nearly 12 years!

I first heard about OryxAlign through a friend who was doing an apprenticeship here while I was completing mine elsewhere. We'd compare what our day-to-day looked like, what the office was like and how everything was run. From what I heard about the culture and the people, OryxAlign sounded like somewhere I wanted to work.

That was what encouraged me to apply, and it's what's kept me here ever since.

What's one thing that surprised you, in a good way, once you started working here?

The biggest surprise for me was the people.

Everyone was approachable, so if you needed information or help with something, you could just go and speak to anyone, and you'd get that help really quickly. It was completely different to my previous experience.

Another thing that stood out was the culture. People would stay behind after work to socialise. It wasn't a case of everyone sitting there watching the clock waiting to go home, people genuinely wanted to spend time together.

What kind of progress or growth have you experienced during your time here, professionally or personally?

There's been a lot of progression over the years. I started on the Service Desk, then moved into more on-site work and was dedicated to a specific client for a while. After that, I joined the Projects team, spent a few years working in Cloud and now I'm part of the Networks team.

It's never felt like you're stuck in one place. There's always been the opportunity to move into different areas, develop new skills and keep learning.

Personally, I've grown a lot as well. I joined when I was 19, so naturally a lot has changed over time, not just in work but in how you think about your future and what you're working towards.

What do you enjoy the most about working here?

Having a good team around you makes a huge difference because if you ever need help with something, there's always someone willing to lend a hand. At the same time, it's not always just about work. People take an interest in each other's lives outside of work as well.

What's one way you feel supported?

I've always felt comfortable speaking to my manager or anyone else in the business if I need to raise something or ask for help. If there's ever something I want to discuss, I've never felt like I won't be listened to or that I won't get anywhere by having that conversation. Knowing there's always someone willing to listen and support you makes a real difference.

How would you describe the company culture to someone considering joining?

I think the culture is about trying to live the values as much as possible, and I genuinely feel like the vast majority of people do that.

If you're willing to come in, work hard, keep learning and keep improving, you'll get a lot out of it. People recognise what you do, everyone's approachable and they're always willing to support you.

What's one benefit or part of the employee experience that really makes a difference to you?

The long service leave is probably the first thing that comes to mind when I think about employee benefits. Getting two weeks after five years and four weeks after ten years is something I've never heard of anywhere else, so I think that's unique.

I'm about to take my ten-year long service leave, and I'm really looking forward to it. I've got a few things planned around the house, a few local trips and a holiday to Greece booked, so it'll be great to make the most of the time.

Billy's story highlights how a supportive culture, approachable colleagues and the opportunity to keep learning have shaped his career over the past 12 years. From his apprenticeship through to his role as a Project Engineer, his journey is a great example of how OryxAlign helps people develop their skills while building long-term careers.

If you’re thinking about your next step in tech, take a look at our current opportunities: https://www.oryxalign.com/careers