Darshan Desai Sonia Alex Moon Jamie Bright Sadeque Uddin

Darshan Desai

Darshan Desai is 21 and lives in Coventry where he works for CCS Technology employed as a Control Systems Technician. He was a student at Ernesford Grange Senior School where he achieved eight GCSEs grades A to C, an AS level and an A Level. He completed his off the job training with Midland Group Training Services . He has gone on to gain his NVQ Level 3, his BTEC National Certificate and is currently studying for his Higher National Certificate with Dudley college. Darshan excels in football and has received a Young Achiever in Sport award from the Lord Mayor of Coventry.

Darshan wants to complete his apprenticeship gaining his HND and to continue to represent the company on overseas contracts.

<< Back to Top

Sonia

Why did you want to become an Engineer?

During school I was interested in subjects like mathematics, physics, design & technology. I liked to be hands on making things & solving problems anything other than that didn't interest me to be honest. When it came to choosing a career I didn't want to do what everyone else wanted to do, as I wanted to be different. I used to rebel a bit so going into a career that wasn't female dominated was perfect for me. My school wasn't very helpful when came to advice on how to go about getting into engineering. I don't think they thought it was the right career choice for me as I was a typical girly type. I looked up college courses & enrolled in a BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace Engineering to start me off on in my career.

Why was the apprenticeship route was the best for you?

After completing my college based engineering qualifications I found it hard getting into the engineering industry without any practical experience. I worked for a couple of engineering companies but the area of engineering I wanted to get into I found was hard for me to even get my foot into the door. I then decided the best route for me was to do an apprenticeship to give me the practical knowledge I needed. I have found in general been female you have to prove yourself to be able to "cut it in engineering" and show that you have some knowledge, as they can be hesitant in taking a chance of employing a female if they thinks its not the right career for you. So I got in touch with the EEF Technology Centre & applied for an apprenticeship with Goodrich Engine Control Systems.

How did you find employment?

Quite soon after my aptitude test, I was asked by Goodrich Engine Control Systems at Marston Green to attend an interview with them. I found out later that there were about 25 people called in for these interviews for four apprenticeship positions. Goodrich then offered me a place on their Apprenticeship Scheme. Starting at the Technology centre in September. I didn't work at Goodrich for about the first 9 months, as I was learning basic engineering skills at the EEF technology centre. Whilst there I completed my NVQ level 2, in Performing Engineering Operations, Key Skills at level 2 & my 2nd year BTEC.

What was it like being one of a very small number of females in training & in company?

At the EEF there were about 70 male apprentices and only another two females. It really didn't bother me that there weren't many other females as my priority was to learn/work & get back to my company. Once I returned to my company, I soon got to start using the practical & theory training that I received at the EEF & I am still learning each day. Being one of few women doesn't bother me. There are other females within the company but I tend to get on with men more than women in general as my job has more in common with what they are doing.

How you have progressed since returning to company?

When I went back to my company I was put in the electronic module. It was really interesting and I learnt a lot as I moved around the sections quite quickly. I then moved on into facilities training in calibration & maintaining the equipment/rigs. I am really enjoying it as I'm learning something new & different each day. You quickly find out that The engineering industry is not all practical work though, there's a lot of theory & paperwork involved in my job, as the work that I do involves a lot of problem solving, but I find it really is rewarding, as once I have completed a task the problems & results are often clear for me to see straight away. I have been on this section now for just over 6mths and I think this may become my permanent position, I'm keeping my fingers crossed & proving to my colleagues that I am the best person for this job.

<< Back to Top

Alex Moon

I decided to become an engineer to be able to gain a wide variety of skills to support me throughout my life.

I felt that Engineering would suit me as I realised that I was a hands on person, and I didn't like the idea of a desk job or sitting at a computer all day for the rest of my life. So I chose an engineering career. The main attraction of an Engineering career was the benefit of having skills that would be appreciated "world wide", giving me a lot of choices for the future.

In my first year at the EEF Training Centre I got an insight into what Engineering was really like and I was very impressed. The course was very well thought out being able to spend time in each element of the job, and learning everything I needed to know very quickly but given time to absorb it. The training instructors really help you a lot as well; they will go through whatever it is you are stuck on thoroughly until you understand it.

I chose Brandauer as my Company because, from what I had heard and read about them, I could see it was the best choice for me. The Company is very well known and respected, and it has made its name for technical excellence. I also feel that Toolmaking is regarded as one of the most skilful jobs you can have and I didn't want to miss the opportunity to gain that skill.

In my time here at Brandauer I have been shown how to work on existing and established press tools, and have started to do some of the bench work myself. I have also done quite a lot of machine work, maintenance and press work. I have been around all of the other departments in the business and have sampled all of what Brandauer has to offer.

<< Back to Top

Jamie Bright

Jamie, aged 24 lives at Shard End, Birmingham and works for Cadbury Tebor Bassett in Birmingham as a multi skilled Maintenance Technician. He was a student at Arch Bishop Grimshaw Catholic School where he achieved GNVQ in Manufacturing, BTEC Design and Technology as well as 3 GCSEs. Having completed his first year off the job training with Dudley College as an apprentice with the Rover Group he continued his training as an apprentice with Cadbury Trebor Bassett and has achieved his HNC in Manufacturing Engineering as well as his NVQ Level 3 in Maintenance Engineering and a Level 3 Certificate in First line Management. As a multi skilled technician Jamie is one of 5 technicians working on the flagship new manufacturing plant that has just been installed in Bournville.

Jamie's ambition is to stay at Cadbury's aiming to become one of the most valued multi skilled technicians employed there.

<< Back to Top

Sadeque Uddin

Sadeque is 21 years old and lives in Wednesbury and works for Goodrich Actuation Systems in Wolverhampton where he works as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer. He was a student at Wood Green High School where he achieved six GCSEs A to C and then took three A levels with Walsall College of Arts and Technology. Having completed his off the job training with EEF West Midlands Technology Centre he has gone on to achieve his HNC in Mechanical Engineering and his NVQ Level 3. One of Sadeque's achievements at Goodrich has been to help the company save over one million pounds through Lean Manufacturing events.

One of Sadeque's future aims and ambitions is to become a fully trained Manufacturing Engineer and to be regarded as a true professional.

<< Back to Top