Testimonials

Kate Winstanley – Apprentice, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at Culham

“An apprenticeship seemed like the natural option for me. I left school with A levels in Physics and Geography plus three AS levels. I really wasn’t keen on the purely academic side of things. I wanted to be more hands-on. When I told my physics teacher I didn’t fancy University he suggested an apprenticeship. To maintain the engineering skills base at technician level UKAEA Culham Division runs an Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme and I’m part of that. The scheme selects and recruits people to undergo a four-year training programme designed to help people to develop their technical and academic abilities and personal qualities. So far I’ve completed my NVQ Level 2 and I’m currently working towards my BTech National in Mechanical Engineering while working at Culham.”

Ross Webb – Shaw Stone & Webster Apprentice Design Engineer

Whilst completing my A-levels all I ever heard was, university, no other options were shown to me and I didn’t even know if any existed. Then, as I was completing my UCAS application I was encouraged to go and visit the universities that were my first few choices and it was then that I realised that it wasn’t for me. I don’t really know why, all my friends were going, but I just felt that it wasn’t the right option and so I set about looking at doing a placement or enrolling on training programmes. At this point I still wasn’t 100% and so I still applied for university through UCAS. I then found an advert in the local paper for ISIS and phoned to get some more information, they sent me an application form and then invited me to their offices in Central Milton Keynes to participate in a few simple tests. They then found plenty of jobs that suited my qualifications and applied for me.

I began work at Shaw Stone and Webster, a design firm in the energy and chemical industry, in the summer of 2005 with a good starting salary and a much more positive outlook for next few years. I enrolled at college on a day release scheme and my company sponsored me to complete a Higher National Certificate in mechanical engineering, with this qualification almost completed I am now looking forwards to completing a degree through the Open University, again sponsored by my company. While working for Shaw Stone and Webster I have also had plenty of in house training to learn how to do my actual job. As part of this training I have been to several places around the country to look at foundries and workshops. I was very fortunate in June 2007 to be able to visit a live chemical plant in Finland, during the week long visit that I had to Helsinki I was given several tours around the plant.This was to learn in more detail about its workings and so get a much better understanding of the scale and workings of the things that I was by now having a real input in to the actual design. Fortunately, on such trips, it is not all work and evenings are still yours to explore the places you find yourself in. There will be more opportunities like this in the future and so I will have the opportunity to see plenty of different places around the world, one of the main reasons I took the job. Along with training provided by my company I still work closely with ISIS to complete a NVQ, which will push me closer to incorporated engineer status, one step away from chartered. Just over two years into my job I am a real member of my team in the mechanical department and have real inputs into the work my company does, I am now on a significant salary and am looking forward to buying my first flat at the beginning of next year. So far I am extremely happy I chose this route into my career, I am learning and gaining experience that will benefit me in the future and put me ahead of some of the other young engineers in this country.

Layla Harwood – Apprentice, Abbott Diabetes Care

“I work four days a week gaining experience in all the different aspects of the company and spend the other very full day at college. Although I am the only female apprentice here I don’t notice it so much anymore – apart from the odd bit of harmless ribbing. To any female considering an engineering apprenticeship, I’d say if it’s what you want to do, don’t be deterred by the fact there’s loads of blokes - just go for it!”

Alun Thomas – Production Engineer, LTI Metaltech

“I tried a media studies course and didn’t enjoy it. Then, because I’ve always enjoyed taking things apart and putting them back together, I decided to go for an apprenticeship and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I’d probably be labouring on a building site or something! It’s given me options and a career path. I’ve been at Metaltech for going on 5 years and I feel part of the family now. Since I’ve been here I’ve completed an NVQ, a two-year welding course and I’ve started my HNC. I’m even thinking about a degree course part-time in the future.”

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