Engineer Emma flies the flag for apprenticeships
As National Apprenticeship Week hits its stride, the organisers are hoping thousands of youngsters will following in the footsteps of engineers like Emma Goulding, from Stourbridge.
Emma is now a controls engineer for Siemens, the £5.5 billion global business currently developing electric aircraft and building a new train factory in Yorkshire.
After leaving school with three A Levels, Emma was unsure about the university route. Keen to pursue a learning path that would expose her to opportunities in industry, she saw the advanced engineering apprenticeship at Siemens as the ideal course for her.
Emma said: “I’d always been interested in how and why things work but doing an apprenticeship in engineering has allowed me to broaden my horizons and experience the best of both worlds – learning first-hand the skills needed to work in the industry, alongside formal academic study.”
She continued: “I’m now in a full-time role and being sponsored to study for a mechanical engineering (BEng) degree – but best of all I get paid to do something I really enjoy!”
Meanwhile, in Stafford, waterways breakdown firm River Canal Rescue was named last year as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer. Apprentices account for nearly 60% of its 33-strong workforce.
Managing director Stephanie Horton said: “To have our three-year apprenticeship programme recognised and rewarded at a national level is a huge achievement for us. Without apprentices our business would never have been able to grow the way it has.
"The intensity of our mentoring/education and investment in specialist training/well-being means all apprentices have a depth of understanding and commitment to RCR that is impossible to ‘buy in’. We’re very proud to be on the list with such high-profile organisations and this gives us huge confidence for the future.”
Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “ It’s great to see the fantastic work that employers across the West Midlands are doing to promote apprenticeships to local people in the area.”
“Now in its 11th year, this national week brings together everyone passionate about apprenticeships to encourage more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career and to business growth.”
“It is an excellent opportunity to showcase how apprenticeships work for individuals, businesses, local communities and the wider economy. This continued support means we can shine a spotlight to show how the West Midlands continues to benefit from apprenticeships.”
