It’s Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2024!
This week is all about highlighting the benefits that apprenticeships can bring to people of all ages, businesses and the economy.
We have been sharing apprenticeship success stories this week to showcase the value they’ve brought to people in our network and encourage others to consider this path.
Our final story comes from Keir Mitchell, Graduate Engineering Manager at our member company Certas Energy UK Limited. Below he shares his journey and how an apprenticeship changed his life:
Keir’s story
“An apprenticeship journey that began nine years ago changed the trajectory of my career in ways I couldn’t have imagined.
After realizing that university wasn’t the right path for me, I seized the opportunity to embark on an apprenticeship with the University of Strathclyde’s Electronic & Electrical Engineering department. This decision proved to be life-changing.
Over the course of four years, I not only earned my stripes as an engineer but also acquired invaluable skills and knowledge. The support and mentorship I received were instrumental in my growth, enabling me to complete SVQ Level 2 and 3 qualifications, along with two HNCs and an HND in manufacturing and mechanical engineering.
The apprenticeship paved the way for further advancement, leading me to a senior role where I had the privilege of nurturing the next generation of engineers. Additionally, the opportunity to pursue a GA Engineering Degree while working full-time enhanced my expertise. Today, as an engineering business partner at Certas Energy, I am grateful for the foundation laid during my apprenticeship. The journey was not just about gaining qualifications; it was about seizing the chance to learn, grow, and shape a fulfilling career. I can confidently say that embracing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I urge anyone considering it to embrace the opportunity—it’s a pathway to endless possibilities and a fulfilling career journey.”
Thanks to Keir for sharing – his inspiring story really highlights how an apprenticeship can kickstart your career and build vital skills, all whilst earning. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading these successes this week, and that they may have inspired you to consider an apprenticeship in engineering or recommend this path to any young people in your life about to embark on the first steps of their career.
