• • • TRAINING APPRENTICESHIP• • • What does an engineering
apprenticeship look like? To better understand what the life of an engineering apprentice looks like, I wanted to take a glimpse into their own journeys. Santina told me, “My role is in level six of a civil engineering degree apprenticeship; I started at a level three, that was for two years and then I finished that and I’m now a technician member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, so I did that in two rather than three years because I thought if I can do it quicker thealexn I might as well.” Santina reflected on what was previously mentioned at Alexia’s show; apprenticeships main draw is that they have generally been seen to elevate and nurture its students in a way that introduces them to their chosen careers much earlier than other options. Alexia, only 24, said this about getting her start; “I finished my engineering degree apprenticeship back in September 2022, from that, I came in as a Deployed Lifecycle Engineer, that meant working on the TP400 engine, which powers the Airbus A400M, the largest military transport aircraft… And then a few of the things I’ve done while I was there include leading improvement projects, which included bringing new tooling, writing up new instructions, trialling stuff, 3d printing etc…I am now a Through-Life Technical Lead.”
How to find the right
apprenticeship for you I spoke about how important support is when deciding your next career move after GCSE’s. Santina, mentioned “You’ve got
Gov.uk, Indeed, UCAS are now talking about apprenticeships and are promoting them.” But this was not always the case, when Santina began her career, she stated; “My mum has always made me feel confident in my decision, and I know I’m the one in charge of my career, so I want to make the best decisions for me…My mum was a massive driver of me knowing about apprenticeships and encouraging me to do my own research.”
Alexia also spoke about what UCAS have begun
to do, stating; “You can start having a look and think ‘I want to go to Bristol university to do mechanical engineering, oh and also in Bristol, there are companies that offer that as an apprenticeship,’ and then you can apply directly from there.”
What is also interesting is noting the fact that schools often don’t support the move into an apprenticeship opposed to a university. Alexia also experienced this, telling me “They get more funding from the government if they have more students get into university, so no wonder they’re not supporting people going for apprenticeships. They get no financial backing from them.”
University vs Apprenticeship education for Engineering students.
When chatting with both Alexia and Santina, it did go through my mind that even though this route is incredibly beneficial to engineering
Alexia Williams
students, it is not without aspects that may not suit others. University could very well be more fit to a future engineer.
I discussed with Alexia this very idea, she responded “I don’t want to be biased, because I know I’ve done an apprenticeship, but I think, personally, it is probably a better option for engineering, because so many different employers offer it.
Whereas I know other careers, because not many employers offer it, and because it’s something that is quite difficult to do, going to university is the best option.
But I think it’s about where you want to go, if you’re someone that wants to become an engineering specialist and you want to go down a whole university PhD route and then come into employment, university might be the right option for you. I think it just depends what role in engineering you want to go down.” Alexia showed me how she believed that apprenticeships and university life is a decision that should be catered to each student specifically. Each route is worth exploring in more detail than previously looked at by schools and organisations advertising higher education.
What was obvious from my discussion with Alexia and Santina was that, by following through with an apprenticeship, you are not stagnant in one position, there’s a lot of growth involved with engineering apprenticeships. It was also clear that through this support, apprentices often excel more so and faster in their degree than university graduates. This is due to their learning environment seeing that they are able to work and earn alongside their studies. This provides motivation towards their end goal and real-life experience that other routes, more often than not, miss out on. Not only this but you are an investment for the employer; they will develop a strong and supportive environment for learning and career development.
Deciding between career routes can be scary and intimidating, but it is important that whatever route you go down, it works for you, and now that we have more ideas and awareness of what is out there, the options are endless.
It was an honour to speak with Santina and Alexia through IFATE (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical education.) They’ve already made, and continue to, be a great impact to young people taking their next steps into STEM.
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • SEPTEMBER 2024 45
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
