I wanted a place where science was the main priority, and UTCN’s focus on STEM stood out

“I wanted a place where science was the main priority, and UTCN’s focus on STEM stood out. “The smaller class sizes made learning so much more personal, and the science teachers were incredibly supportive and passionate.” “Katie’s goal is clear: to earn her degree and build a career in scientific research where she can make a real impact.”

My initial concerns related to being a young female in the energy industry. I thought it was going to be a daunting process, as it is sometimes thought of as being “male dominated”. Now, I can see that there are so many females in engineering, and I have not at all been made to feel different or out of place.

Q. Why did you choose to go down the route of an apprenticeship? I wanted the opportunities that a paid apprenticeship provides. I enjoy the practical side of things and prefer being on site and getting hands on with the job. It’s very different from being in the classroom. Q. What skills have you learnt so far during your apprenticeship? Moving to Bradford for training was a big change and I had to learn how to be independent. More practically, I’ve learned how to both work independently, but also within a team. Before I started, I wondered what it would be like to be in a working environment from such an early age – working with all these different people – but everyone has been friendly and helpful and there is a lot of working in tandem to solve projects. I’ve also gotten a lot of “behind the scenes” insight into how our energy system works which is fascinating. Q. What has been your highlight of the programme? Becoming more independent has been a massive achievement for myself personally, which the apprenticeship very much enabled. Another big highlight was getting to Level 4 in engineering, where I also earned a distinction. Q. What has been the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? My initial concerns related to being a young female in the energy industry. I thought it was going to be a daunting process, as it is sometimes thought of as being “male dominated”. Now, I can see that there are so many females in engineering, and I have not at all been made to feel different or out of place. Q. Is there someone who has stood out as being particularly influential on your apprenticeship journey (perhaps a mentor)? There has really been a lot of support on site, particularly from previous apprentices who have gone onto full time roles. My mentor has also been a great help, but generally everyone else has as well. Q. Have there been any unexpected opportunities that have arisen as a result of your apprenticeship? The apprenticeship provided me with different levels of work compared to what I would have experienced at school. Q. What are your goals for the future? I want to work my way up within RWE and maybe even go on to get a degree because I want to stay in the company as mechanical technician. Q. What advice would you like to give to applicants who are interested in an apprenticeship? Go for it! Apply and get it done as it helps you get your career ready at a young age. A lot of people are scared, but if you want to build your career an apprenticeship is the best way to do it. You get the practical experience that you need in the job market. You won’t get as good as an apprenticeship as RWE. We are well looked after and feel supported.