Meet our Apprentices
People often ask "Why do an apprenticeship?" So we decided to ask the people who are best placed to answer that question, IET Apprentices.
By selecting the career history of each featured apprentice, you will be able to access their full case study explaining why they chose an apprenticeship and how completing an apprenticeship has been of value to them.
Katy Deacon
Kirklees County Council
"I find my work challenging, varied, rewarding and fun. Every day requires a solution to be thought through or questions to ask or answer. Producing a design solution for a client and managing it through to completion on site gives me a real sense of achievement."
Tom Scragg
AstraZeneca, Engineering Apprentice
"I may have missed out on the university lifestyle but I have no student debts, I have a great work-life balance and work with cutting-edge technology in a job I enjoy."
Gemma Ritchie
MBDA, Electronic Apprentice
"The apprenticeship programme works quite well, as I get to learn key skills as well as receive work-based learning and educational learning. Also, I get to go out and do lots of presentations. I get to do quite a bit of work with Business Dynamics at Lostock (near Bolton) and I get to work with and teach schoolkids about MBDA and what apprentices do."
John Vickery
Orange Holdings Ltd
"I have been involved in reviewing and updating the training plan within a team of experienced and skilled engineers. I hope to continue working with the Technical Development team and giving my ideas to help new apprentices enjoy their life-changing experience as much as I did."
Matthew Vaal
MBDA
"There are plenty of opportunities to go as far as I want within MBDA and the engineering profession."
Ben Dugdale
KIK ATVs, Chatburn, Clitheroe, Lancs
"I’ve always had an interest in motorbikes and quads, and fancied being involved with them for a job, but from a technical side."
Simon Smith
Bentley Motors, Degree-sponsored Apprentice
"In all honesty, there isn’t much that I’d change about my time at Bentley, and I feel very proud to work here. For me, undertaking an apprenticeship was definitely one of the best choices I have made, and the fact that the company will support me with my development and qualifications over the coming years makes it even better."
Sheena Anker
British Gas, Technical Engineering Apprentice
"When I left college everyone else seemed to be going to university so I followed suit,” explains Sheena. “But I knew almost straight away it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t that into sitting at my desk and studying. I’ve always liked practical things, like sorting out a computer that’s not working or a toilet that doesn’t flush. I like to be the person who fixes things and gets feedback and appreciation for helping people."
David Barber
E.ON, Cable Jointer Trainee
"Sometimes a job doesn’t go to plan but you just have to work through these things. I know I can speak to my supervisor or the office foreman if I have any questions."
Alice Delahunty
E.ON, Electrical Engineering Programme Co-ordinator
"I’ve always found people to be very encouraging. There are many more younger people coming into the industry now and it’s attracting more women than it did in the past."
Paul Excell
BT's Group Chief Technology Office, Chief of Operations
"Being an apprentice was excellent fun. We did our basic training, went up poles and down holes, visited customer premises and installed phone systems."
Daniel Jenkins
Tube Lines, Apprentice Signalling Technician
"When I finished school I wanted a hands-on job and to get into something skills related. I looked into the different options available and thought that an apprenticeship would be the best way forward. I didn’t know anyone else who’d done one – I just went for it."
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