STUDENTS from UTC Warrington are getting ready for the next stage of their careers after being offered engineering apprenticeships with a top regional employer.
Three students have secured apprenticeship places with Sellafield in Cumbria, that start in September 2021, and another two learners are on the reserve list.
Lee Barber, Chief Executive and Principal, UTC Warrington, said: “The UTC equips students with the vital skills that employers need, enabling them to go onto great careers. Apprenticeships are an excellent route to achieving that and I’d like to congratulate our students on their success.”
Declan Finn, 18, Amber Thomason,18, and Daniel Neve, 18, who are completing a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering and A Level maths, have secured apprenticeship places.
Declan said: “I am delighted to be offered a mechanical engineering apprenticeship with Sellafield as this is a major step to reaching my career ambition.”
He explained: “An apprenticeship appeals to me as it enables you to learn real skills and earn as you learn by completing a qualification at the same time as getting paid for it.
“I will be able to get experience, work on real projects with engineers who understand engineering problems and solutions, and increase my chances of securing a job after my apprenticeship unlike university where a destination afterwards isn’t guaranteed.”
Declan has enjoyed his studies at the UTC. He said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at UTC Warrington. The staff have been very helpful and delivered my subjects and courses well, challenging me to get higher grades.
“I chose to study at UTC Warrington because of the engineering subjects, the excellent facilities and machines I can use as part of my course and the number of employer partners they have, which gave me more confidence in finding a destination after I finish my course. Apart from the skills and knowledge that I have learned in my subjects, I have also completed work experience placements and developed skills to improve my interview, cover letter and cv writing techniques.
“The facilities and engineering machines and software that the UTC has is something I have been fortunate to use as I wouldn’t be able to use that type of equipment elsewhere and it has helped me understand more about my course topics.”
Amber Thomason said: “I feel proud as I have achieved my goal of securing a Sellafield apprenticeship that I have had since starting at the UTC.”
She explained: “I chose to study at the UTC as I felt it was the right move to start my career. I knew it would help me gain experience to ensure my success. The employer partners were a huge part in my move. I knew that I’d gain experience working with them and secure a destination in the long run having those contacts.
“With the many different types of engineering the UTC offers, I have tried other subjects and taken part in work experience to make sure civil engineering was the right route for me. My career ambition is to work within the built environment and the construction cycle. Civil engineering combines design and maths, which are the two subjects that I enjoy the most.”
Daniel Neve has also enjoyed his time at the UTC and his long term career goal is to work in electrical engineering. He said: “I am very happy to have secured the apprenticeship. I have wanted to work with Sellafield since completing work experience with them in Year 11.”
Daniel explained: “The opportunity to learn as I work really appeals to me, giving me much more opportunity to get hands on and learn about the company, giving me a better chance of securing a job at the end of my apprenticeship.”
He added: “Studying at UTC Warrington has been a great experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work with many different employers, such as Sellafield and to get hands on with projects such as the Royal Navy challenge. I’ve got a better insight into engineering and learned to use many different types of machines, as well as software such as computer aided design.”
UTC Warrington is a technical school for 14 to 19-year-olds, backed by employers and Manchester Metropolitan University, that is Ofsted graded ‘good’. The £10 million facility, on Dallam Lane, is equipped with industry leading facilities and specialises in engineering, digital, construction and healthcare.
Students complete technical qualifications alongside GCSEs and A Levels, and work on employer projects, giving them a head start on their career ambitions.
