What is your current role?
I am a third year Design Engineering Graduate Apprentice at Leonardo’s Edinburgh site; this means I am in my final placement after spending the first two years of my degree rotating between different functions. I chose to go into Hardware, specifically Component Obsolescence (across a range of projects) as I enjoyed researching components and manufacturers, as well as having the opportunity to collaborate across departments due to review boards!
Why did you decide to become an apprentice?
When I was in school, I knew I wanted to study engineering, but I struggled to understand what function I wanted to go into. This meant that choosing the right university course for me, with limited knowledge of what each would entail, was daunting.
Finding out about apprenticeships felt like the best of both worlds, especially within Leonardo where we got to rotate around different functions (mechanical, test, electronics, systems etc…), gaining real life experience and seeing what the job is like, rather than just the theory behind it, before picking final placements.
I found the hands-on experience to be a big selling point, due to how valuable it is to get four years of relevant work experience alongside getting your degree , as well as the fact I have a greater understanding of what I study at university, as both my job and my degree correlate.
Leonardo also offers connections to the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE) – which leads to great networking opportunities – and a way to start working towards Chartered Engineer Status, something which is a huge goal for my career.
How did you hear about our Early Career Apprentice Schemes?
The main way I heard about the apprenticeships was word of mouth. At school I had a friend who started an apprenticeship at Leonardo instead of going to sixth year, she told us about how amazing it was – and something we should think about doing.
With her glowing recommendation, I used apprenticeships.scot to find out about all different roles that were offered and what an apprenticeship was. Whilst school was supportive there was no detailed information on what an apprenticeship would mean. After in-depth research of different roles, I found Leonardo Design Engineering was my best fit, fitting everything I needed with a degree – it was able to push away my concerns of being boxed at university doing something I wouldn’t enjoy in real life, due to the rotation of practical placements that Leonardo offered for their apprenticeships.
What does a typical day look like in your role?
No two days in the office are the same, but each week follows a typical structure. When university is in session, I’m in the office Monday through Wednesday where I work with the Component Obsolescence Team. Often, I spend my time researching parts that become End-of-Life, finding different solutions for Project Managers and presenting them during Review Boards. I enjoy the team I am in, finding it easy to ask questions or for more work if needed and we have weekly meetings to discuss what occurred in the past week.
I have found from the rotations that I have built up a varied skill set, all of which is transferrable to my electronics placement. The most important skill I have gained is communication - working with professionals, gaining their support and knowledge throughout the different placements.
On a Thursday and Friday, I find myself attending university. Most of the lectures are done online, with tests and exams in person through at Strathclyde university in Glasgow.
What is your greatest achievement at Leonardo so far?
I struggled within my first year. Whilst the jump between school and university was not big, I found being within a large office daunting and I felt out of place. My apprentice manager worked hard with me to ensure I would settle down and after a few months I found my footing. So, my greatest achievement is the perseverance I underwent at the start of the apprenticeship, and the fact I am still here today – enjoying myself a whole lot more than I ever would have expected. I really would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, no matter how daunting it is, you will have the support from your peers and managers, to overcome it.
Are there any hobbies you take part in outside of your apprenticeship?
I am a Scout Leader for 51st Balerno (Wednesday Evening), and it is one of the most rewarding things I do outside of work, as I get to give back to the community and help shape the skills of youth participants. I am also on the Scottish Scouts Trustee Board and assist the South East Sector Regional Youth Led with his Youth Shaped responsibilities.
Outside of scouting I find myself knitting or reading to relax. Last year I crocheted a couple blankets, and this year I am challenging myself to knit a jumper!
What are your aspirations for the future?
I am hoping to gain Chartered Engineer Status within the next five years and I am already working hard to start to gain evidence for the competencies needed. I hope to continue and expand my engineering knowledge, working my way up to a Principal Engineer. After completing my Bachelors in Engineering (hopefully graduating with a First Class Honours), I would also like to undertake a masters, for my own personal knowledge and benefit.
Would you recommend an apprenticeship?
I will always recommend an apprenticeship to anyone that will listen to me.
Having the opportunity to go back to my high school and tell the pupils about my experience was one of the greatest things I did, and I hope I can continue to do that across the UK.
Apprenticeships offer so many opportunities that a traditional pathway never could; from an opportunity to experience the different rotations and placements before committing yourself, to the four years of hands-on experience I now have over my peers, I know that the future career opportunities I have are huge. It is the perfect balance of working and studying. You will also have an additional level of support you would never get at university, something I think is just as important as anything else.
