Stafford apprentice encourages girls to consider engineering career

Ahead of National Apprenticeships Week, a first-year apprentice from Loynton shares her thoughts on engineering apprenticeships for young women.

Lily Joules, pictured above, lives near Gnosall, Staffordshire and works as a mechanical engineering apprentice for Jaguar Land Rover in Castle Bromwich.

She is part of the Make UK apprenticeship scheme, which this year is hosting an open day at its Technology Hub in Aston, Birmingham on February 12, from 10am to 2pm, as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

Attendees can learn directly from employers about how they can successfully apply for one of more than 300 vacancies starting in September. Make UK offers a range of manufacturing and engineering apprenticeships with prestigious companies including Jaguar Land Rover, Severn Trent and Rolls Royce to young people aged 16 and over.

The open day will include a tour of Make UK’s state-of-the-art facility which boasts the very latest in robotics and digital technologies. The tour will be delivered by Make UK’s current apprentices who will explain first-hand their own career path and progression.

Attendees can discover what it’s like being a Formula 1 car designer by taking part in a practical F1 in Schools activity, to design and build a miniature racing car using CAD/CAM design tools. There will also be welding and tyre change challenges which show how teamwork enables great outcomes.

Fiona McGarry, engagement manager at Make UK said: “The pandemic has wreaked havoc on the job market, particularly for young people and those from less fortunate backgrounds. Engineering is a lucrative and fun industry to enter and the average engineering apprentice at Make UK earns double the minimum apprentice rate of £4.30 per hour for those aged 16-18 and £4.40 for 19 and over.

“We have a 90 per cent retention rate after graduation, which shows how our apprentices go on to build long-term careers with their employers who sponsor them through their training with us.

“Engineering isn’t just working in a factory. It includes AI, robotics, automation, 3D printing and more. A manufacturer can put people into space, design roller coasters, break the land speed record or build smart cities. There are even roles in areas that most people wouldn’t think of, like media, TV and fashion.”

Speaking about her apprenticeship, Lily Joules said: “I grew up on a farm, helping to service the tractors - I always liked getting my hands dirty and learning how things work. When I left high school, it made sense to study engineering, so I did my level 3 BTEC.

“I chose to become an apprentice because I liked the idea of hands-on learning, plus you get paid rather than going into debt at university.

“I was excited when I secured the role at Jaguar Land Rover as the apprenticeship scheme is highly competitive - I think my work experience and time working on the farm helped me stand out, as well as meant I had a streamlined transition into industry.

“My apprenticeship means I get the opportunity to gain experience in different sections of the business, so that I can become a well-rounded mechanical engineer. I wouldn’t have had the same opportunity if I were learning in a classroom. I currently work on CNC machines helping to write the programs and set the jobs up.

“Outside of work I am a Guides leader, where I encourage young girls to consider engineering as a career by showing them the fun side. STEM is talked about a lot, but usually the focus is on core science subjects like biology and chemistry rather than engineering.

“I plan themed activities like building a tower or a vehicle to cross a river, to show that engineering can be a fun and creative career.

“Having a role model is really important, especially when going into a male-dominated industry like ours. I want to help younger children to learn about engineering apprenticeships and demonstrate that it’s not always about getting your hands dirty.”

To register for the free open day visit their eventbrite page by clicking here.