What have you done since school?
When I was in my final year at school my mum saw an advert in the local newspaper for Apprenticeship vacancies with Fleet Support Limited (FSL), based in Portsmouth. She passed the details to me and with their support and encouragement I decided to apply. I was extremely fortunate in gaining a place with FSL.
Do you have any role models?
My father works in the building trade and he has encouraged me to go into this profession. He suggested doing an apprenticeship in either Joinery or Electrical. As I had helped my father out with a few electrical jobs, I decided that this should be the occupational area that I apply for.
What does your job involve?
I work in the tool department at FSL. Tools come in and I inspect them to see if there are any faults. I then try various ways to solve the problem and then re-test the tool. There are lots of regulations and requirements to follow, so I am constantly learning as I fix different tools.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I like the environment I work and the fact that I have been able to gain more qualifications in addition to NVQs. I have attended the latest update on the 16th Edition of Electrical Installation and am also qualified in PAT testing.
I particularly like working with the different tools and am learning new skills and using my initiative in dealing a variety of tasks.
What would you say to encourage other people into doing an Apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship scheme is really well set up so once you have joined it everything is already organised for you. I personally found this a big help, especially as I wasn’t sure what route after school would be best for me!
What would you say to encourage other people into your occupational area?
Electrical Engineering has transferable skills in it and I feel that as I have learnt domestic and marine engineering it has given me lots of options for the future.
How do you find the combination of work and studying?
I found it worked well for me as I would learn new things at college and then be able to use them in a practical environment at work.