Spotlight on Craig McGuigan – Case Study
STEGTA Training Officer and Industrial Engineering Team Leader
I started my career in Engineering as an Apprentice Machinist in mechanical manufacturing at Budenberg Gauge Company Ltd in 1987. The first steps were spent at North Trafford College completing a year of foundation training and BTEC First Certificate in Engineering. In the workplace machine shop, I continued to master manual and CNC machines, CNC programming, and self-inspection techniques.
The journey continued at DH-Budenberg, where I transitioned into a Laboratory Technician role. My Apprenticeship and machining training helped in my personal development in this position, using my gained knowledge and skills to work on a wide variety of calibration equipment. My responsibilities then extended beyond calibration, including mentoring Apprentices and preparing for UKAS accreditation audits. UKAS approval signatory status further validated my expertise in Area & Mass/Pressure calibrations.
The final stages of my productive career were reached at Trescal Ltd, where I assumed the role of Senior Calibration Engineer in mass calibration in their only UK Mass Laboratory. I was challenged to improve the department’s quality standards, manage and maintain the primary and secondary mass standards and navigate the intricacies of ISO/IEC 17025 compliance. Training and mentoring staff development in understanding mass laboratory calibration procedures was critical to the role. Successes were evident in orchestrating seamless UKAS accreditation audits.
I recognised the importance of knowledge transfer and I made the transition into a training role at STEGTA in 2021. I commenced as a Training Officer and two years later into the position of Industrial Engineering Team Leader. I have been instrumental in delivering engineering Apprenticeships, providing guidance and fostering the next generation of engineering talent. With my experience in quality assurance, I have been involved in driving standardisation across the Apprenticeship standards that STEGTA delivers.
My journey in the dynamic world of engineering stands as a testament to the transformative power of Apprenticeships. With a career spanning 34 years, I have evolved from being an Apprentice, skilled machinist and qualified CNC setter/operator to a seasoned Laboratory Technician and Calibration Engineer. Changing pathways to become a Training Officer and Assessor and finally, Industrial Engineering Team Leader with STEGTA. I embarked on a journey that epitomises the significance of Apprenticeships.
Investing in Apprenticeships is great for employers to cultivate a skilled workforce. Engineering Apprenticeships offer a direct pathway to expertise, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Aspiring engineers can benefit not only from technical skills but also from the mentorship and leadership opportunities inherent in Apprenticeship programmes.