Jack Carlile – Case Study
Employer: Hurstwood Engineering (UK) Ltd
Job Title: Apprentice Electrical Design Engineer
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Building Services Design Technician Standard
Why did you decide to follow the route of an Apprentice?
When I left school, I had a choice of going to their sixth form or find an alternative. I decided I wanted to go to college to study a Level 3 BTEC in Mechanical Engineering as my school’s sixth form did not offer me the subjects I was looking for. I attended college only 2-3 times a week and did not have a very good job at the time. I found my time at college difficult because it is all just lessons in the classroom without actually seeing things or trying things for yourself which left me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed. After I completed my course, I took some time to decide what could be the best option for me and I decided to apply for Apprenticeships. I felt that an Apprenticeship would offer on the job experience as well as learning in the classroom. I wish I had of thought of this when I left school but I’m glad the way things turned out in the end.
What does a typical day at work involve for you?
I am a Junior Electrical Design Engineer in Building Services which involves me sitting at my desk and designing the electrical system for a project. From apartments and warehouses to houses and café’s, I design systems such as small power & data, security, lighting, containment, and fire protection. This involves calculations and drawings at the stage I am at now but as I progress through my Apprenticeship, my responsibilities will change and I will be doing a lot more. Sometimes, a site survey is required, which involves me going to site and consulting with the contractor to overcome problems or to discuss alternative ways to design systems in the building. Site surveys are an opportunity to see Mechanical and Electrical equipment in a building which I can use to ask questions and strengthen my knowledge of Building Services Engineering. It also involves health and safety practice which is important in our industry.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
My job gives me the chance to be creative and use my initiative when designing certain systems. My favourite system to design is a lighting system. On previous projects, I have had to look for lighting that I think would look suitable for the environments I am designing. Designing a lighting system also involves calculations to meet requirements and I find it satisfying when I design a system that looks good and complies with the regulations and guidance set out by the governing bodies. There are a variety of different projects to work on so there are many different ways I can be creative when it comes to lighting systems.
How did your STEGTA Training Officer and Employer support you throughout your Apprenticeship?
My STEGTA Training Officer regularly visited my place of work to check up on my welfare as well as guiding me to complete my knowledge, skills and behaviours portfolio which are required as a part of my Apprenticeship. We spend a couple of hours just running through what needs to be done and how I can go about my work.
My employer is very fair with me and consider my welfare massively, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The office is a good place to work with great rapport and we all get along. My employer and colleagues do everything they can to support me when in work and when at home after hours when I need help with college work. My work mentor Gareth offers great support and will go the extra mile to help me when I need it. Gareth can also be ‘frank’ with me to help prepare me for situations I may have to face in the future as well as improving my engineering mindset.
What would you say to someone considering a career in this industry?
Before my Apprenticeship, I did not know a lot about Building Services. After a year of my Apprenticeship, I can honestly say I have enjoyed every minute of it. In my previous job, I would wake up not wanting to go to work and while I was there, I found it hard to be enthusiastic or interested. Now, I enjoy going to work and college as I learn a lot everyday and find new opportunities to develop my knowledge and understanding about Building Services. The industry itself is a great industry to work in as you get to meet new people and make new connections. I have not been in this industry very long, but I am looking forward to the future and progressing through college and University to become a Senior Electrical Design Engineer and hopefully one day will become a Chartered Engineer.