Working in engineering is very fulfilling
Joe Betts MIET is a Technical Support Engineer for IET Partner HydraForce Hydraulics. Drawn to the tangible nature of engineering, he undertook a degree apprenticeship, and was named UK Apprentice of the Year in 2023. Below, he reflects on his career so far.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
My strongest subjects at school were those related to engineering, this made look at working towards a career in the industry. The discovery of many degree apprenticeships available in the sector also helped me decide to move into engineering.
Having a tangible output of work is also something I find very rewarding - I enjoy seeing my work in action, so working within engineering is very fulfilling.
Can you describe your career in engineering so far?
I completed a degree apprenticeship with HydraForce over a four-year period. During this time, I gained a practical skills qualification, a BTEC level 3, a foundation degree, and finally my BEng in Manufacturing Engineering. After completing my apprenticeship, I became a junior manufacturing engineer within the production environment - the place I had spent most of my apprenticeship.
I have recently moved into the role of technical support engineer, where I am responsible for providing technical advice and expertise to internal and external customers and the project management of the development of new products.
What has been the biggest success in your career?
In 2023 I won Insider's Made in the UK Apprentice of the Year. It was a huge honour to win the national title and something I am very proud of. I think that making the most of my apprenticeship and taking on extra responsibility within the business helped me to achieve this.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Completing my degree whilst working was a challenging experience. However, I managed to organise myself well enough to achieve a first-class degree and meet all requirements within the workplace.
During this time, I learned many skills that have helped my career, such as timekeeping, discipline, and organisation. Whilst it was tough, I would not change anything as it has helped me to progress and achieve real world experience that sets me apart from other graduates.
Are there any exciting projects you are currently working on?
I am currently working to provide technical support to our Italian region and a major OEM; this takes up the bulk of my week. Working with our regional teams and customers is very rewarding, it is great to see our product in action and the impact we can make within the market.
I also have internal projects, such as the development of our prototype assembly area and the improvement of valve testing. Using my manufacturing background here is rewarding and allows me to capitalise upon the overlapping areas within engineering.
How has your IET Membership helped you?
Becoming a member of the IET has unlocked the ability to begin to work on my professional registration journey. I look forward to making use of the guidance of mentors to help me achieve my goals.
What does the future look like?
I hope to continue to progress professionally, with chartership being my main career goal at this time.
Mentoring is also something I hope to become involved in. Working with apprentices within the business is very enjoyable for someone who has been down the same path.
Recently I have represented my company at careers fairs and open events, using the platform to speak to those looking into a career within engineering or thinking about completing an apprenticeship. I hope that in the future I can become a good mentor to other members of our engineering team and the wider engineering community.
Do you have any advice for those looking for their first role in engineering and technology?
Personally, I found my apprenticeship invaluable. It provided an excellent start to a career in the industry within a safe space to learn and progress. The hands-on experience accelerated my learning and made me competent within my job role before my apprenticeship had even finished.