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  • Matthew Vaal - Apprentice case study

"There are plenty of opportunities to go as far as I want within MBDA and the engineering profession."

Profile

Matthew Vaal, aged 19, excelled at school - achieving straight A grades at A level - but he chose to pursue a career in manufacturing rather than go to University.

Career History

A desire to earn while he learned led him into an apprenticeship with Bolton based MBDA – following in his brother’s footsteps.

He said: "There are plenty of opportunities to go as far as I want within MBDA and the engineering profession. During my apprenticeship I will gain an NVQ Level 4, a HND and many other professional qualifications – all subsidised by the company."

"Many of my friends who went to University are now facing year’s of debt and don’t have any guarantees of work when they graduate. The education I’m getting at MBDA is second to none.”

Matthew believes that manufacturing and engineering is a great career choice for teenagers and helps spread the message to potential recruits in schools and colleges during visits, which form part of his training.

Last year he met Chancellor Gordon Brown while he was at the Skills Northwest careers event and spoke to him about the attractions of the profession.

The IET