APPRENTICES who discovered their path in life at Warrington’s Priestley College are already making a difference in the world.
The Priestley alumni returned to college recently to inspire the current cohort with their success stories and shared top tips on how to progress into industry.
Among them was Eliza Fox who is now working as an apprentice vacuum technician at The Science and Technology Facilities Council – a place that supports research in astronomy, physics and space science.
“I thought an apprenticeship was a perfect fit for me because I am a hands-on learner,” said Eliza, who studied A-Levels in Maths, Physics and Spanish at Priestley.
“Now I am cleaning components for use in labs across the UK. At the moment I am working on parts for a satellite so those components will end up in Space.”
Eliza, a former pupil at Sir Thomas Boteler, wants to progress onto a Level 6 apprenticeship and a career in scientific research.
Eliza Fox
Tom Ashurst
Similarly, Tom Ashurst had thought his future lay in studying at university but after his eyes were opened to apprenticeships he chose a different route.
He is now an apprentice with logistics company Suttons International and studying to become an accountant.
“I realised I preferred to be out in the world learning on the job,” said Tom, who studied Business, Finance, Core Maths and Computer Science.
During the recent apprenticeship day at Priestley, two former students who are now working with Nuvia on Birchwood Park returned to share their tips and advice.
Grace Richardson, who studied Biology, Chemistry and Geography at Priestley, is working towards a Level 6 degree apprenticeship in project management and Finn Ruddy is also completing a degree apprenticeship at the company which is involved in decommissioning and building in the nuclear industry.
Finn said: “There are things I learned at Priestley that have really helped me and my goal now is to become chartered and have a bright future in the industry.”
