Job role 

Engineering Support Group Apprentice.

When did you start at STFC? 

I started my apprenticeship in August of 2023.

Summary of your job 

My job is a creative and practical role with hands on work alongside operating machinery. At the moment my job is based predominantly in the workshop where I am gaining experience on manual milling machines as well as manual lathes through the manufacture of components for various projects at UK ATC.

I am also being introduced to the programming and machining procedure of CNC milling and CNC lathe machines that are used to produce more complex components. As my apprenticeship continues, I will be introduced to further disciplines as I begin to assist in technician work which consists of the assembly and testing of bespoke instruments along with being more involved with the other engineering groups at UK ATC on projects.

Throughout the apprenticeship I am gaining vocational qualifications at college and practical experience at UK ATC. As the apprenticeship progresses the qualifications I gain will be purely theory to allow me to understand the why behind the science at UK ATC.

Why did you choose an apprenticeship? 

Since high school I had balanced the choice between university and starting an apprenticeship, I quickly decided that an apprenticeship was the route for me as I can gain practical experience, qualifications, and a living wage, so I can support myself. I have always enjoyed engineering and knew this was the industry I wanted to join; this made the decision of starting an apprenticeship easier as engineering offers so many opportunities through apprenticeship.

What have been the benefits?

The benefits of an apprenticeship are abundant. The support is brilliant, you gain experience through working, through college and qualifications as well as the experience that is passed on through other people, which holds an immense value. A massive pull factor in an apprenticeship is the ability to earn while you learn, gaining qualifications and financial means.

Why would you recommend it to others?

I would strongly recommend an apprenticeship to others. If you are coming out of school without any practical experience or if you would like to make a change from another industry, an apprenticeship gives you a safe environment to learn and gain that experience quickly, while also giving you support financially.

Why work as an apprentice at STFC? 

Working at STFC is brilliant as the work itself is fascinating. Being involved in projects at STFC is a privilege and seeing the outcome of science and engineering in astronomy really is an amazing experience. The opportunities at STFC are open to anyone and you can learn from the abundance of scientists and engineers which is something that is a rare and an extremely valuable opportunity.

What has been your proudest moment as an apprentice? 

My proudest moment as an apprentice would have to be on the 25^th anniversary of the UK ATC where we had visitors from multiple companies and organisations that STFC has collaborated with on projects (including NASA, the European Space Agency, European Southern Observatory, Scottish Government and more)​. Myself and Ciaran Lawrence, who is a technician at STFC that completed the same apprenticeship that I am doing now, presented various components to the visitors and told them about what we do in the Engineering Support Group. We received great feedback that the visitors were impressed with everyone presenting which was an experience to be proud of.​​