To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week here in the UK, ADS will this week be profiling some of the fantastic apprentices of our member companies, and across all of our sectors.
Apprentices offer a valuable and significant contribution to the UK’s £29bn Aerospace industry, with the sector employing over 3,300 direct apprentices and a further 3,630 indirect apprentices in the supply chain. A strong, competitive and thriving Aerospace industry in the future will depend on the ability to develop the next generation of skills in order to maintain and grow the UK’s world leading position.
Today, we speak to two of our brightest future engineers – Matt Sharples and Megan O’Shea – on their roles within UTC Actuation and Propeller Systems and what inspired them to become apprentices in the sector.
Name: Megan O’Shea
Age: 18
Title of Apprenticeship: Technical Apprenticeship
Year of Apprenticeship: 3rd Year
Why did you choose / what inspired you to become an apprentice?
I wanted to become an apprentice because I liked to get involved with practical things. Also, employers are starting to look at industry experience when interviewing potential candidates for a job which apprenticeships offer. After researching apprenticeships I realised that I would not only gain valuable industry experience but I would also be gaining the knowledge as well which would allow me to progress onto higher education such as a Batchelor’s and a Master’s Degree.
What is your favourite thing about working at UTC Aerospace Systems, Actuation & Propeller Systems?
My favourite thing about working at UTC Aerospace Systems, Actuation & Propeller Systems is that every day is different. I feel challenged with the work that I am being given and am involved with all aspects of the business which makes for an exciting career. I’m constantly learning but I am also thoroughly enjoying my job, which after all is what I wanted in a career.
What is the most exciting project you have worked on during your apprenticeship?
The most exciting project that I have worked on during my apprenticeship was the system rig testing on the C-Series and Neo TRAS systems. I learned a lot during my time on the project and got my hands dirty stripping down and rebuilding the rig, which gave me a greater appreciation of the units and the work that goes into the manufacture and testing of them.
What advice would you give to others considering an apprenticeship?
The advice that I would give to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to thoroughly research the industry that they are considering going into. The engineering sector has a vast number of opportunities that I didn’t realise existed until I had a look for myself. Also, I would make certain that this is what you want to do for a career. Four years is a long time to suddenly realise that you don’t want to be an engineer! Try and get a work experience placement if possible, get a feel for the industry that you want to go into. That’s what I did when I was considering an apprenticeship and I knew afterwards that it was the right choice for me. Finally – and I would say that this is the most important thing – enjoy yourself, get stuck in with everything, be involved in meetings and put your opinion across, you’ll learn a lot more and get recognised across the business.
Name: Matthew Sharples
Age: 18
Title of Apprenticeship: Advanced Apprenticeship Level 3; Manufacturing Engineering
Year of Apprenticeship: 3rd Year
During my school years I loved science and have grown up around technology, so I knew straight away the sector that I wanted to work in. I thought about staying on at school to join sixth form and go on to University, but then I found out more about engineering apprenticeships, allowing me to gain hands-on experience and technical knowledge; while earning money. For me the decision was a no-brainer, and I can safely say it was the best decision I made. The first year of my engineering apprenticeship allowed me to gain the core skills required of all engineers, before specialising in my chosen field of Manufacturing Engineering, where I now work alongside a team to develop current processes and research new innovative methods for the aerospace manufacturing sector; whilst still working towards my higher education.
My favourite thing about working at UTC are the opportunities provided for young engineers, such as the Employee Scholar Program (ESP), which allows employees to gain higher education qualifications ranging from Bachelors to Doctorates in any subject. After completing my Level 3 BTEC in Engineering after my second year of my apprenticeship, I then went on to join a sponsored Bachelor’s degree course in Manufacturing Engineering, provided by the University of Wolverhampton. I am now using the skills gained from this qualification in my day-to-day work, and I can already see the benefit that this has provided, not only for my personal development, but also for the company.
What is the most exciting project you have worked on during your apprenticeship?
My current project I am working on is transformation within the military manufacturing department. Due to the increased orders of the F35 Lightning (Joint Strike Fighter), we are now having to implement new processes and pieces of equipment in order to prepare for the increase in production. These are exciting times as it means that I am gaining experience in process improvement techniques and process design, but also networking with other companies and suppliers from all over the world, seeing how their products can help us as a business grow even further. It’s a great feeling knowing that you come into work every day and are helping the company grow; to meet UTC’s vision as being one of the best employers in the aerospace sector!
What advice would you give to others considering an apprenticeship?
Go for it! The knowledge you gain at the start will be invaluable, allowing you to then build on this everyday while you are at work. Earning and learning is the way forward in the engineering sector, and young engineers are key to propelling new technologies forward, being part of this will make you immensely proud! You just don’t get that feeling being stuck in a classroom for hours on end.
UTC Actuation & Propeller Systems (APS) is a global leader in actuation and propeller design and manufacturing for commercial and military aircraft.
We have decades of experience in propeller and actuation design and manufacturing built on a rich aerospace heritage.
With global operations including the UK, Europe, US and North Africa, Canada and Singapore, we design, manufacture, maintain and support. The APS strategic business unit is part of the wider UTC Aerospace Systems organisation – one of the world’s largest suppliers of technologically advanced aerospace and defence products. We design, manufacture and service systems and components and provide integrated solutions for commercial, regional, business and military aircraft, helicopters and other platforms. We are also a major supplier to international space programme.
