Katie Wickham – Case Study
Age: 22
Company: SYSTRA Ltd.
Apprenticeship: Level 3 Railway Engineering Design Technician Apprenticeship Standard
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I enjoy how every engineering project I work on is different and how I’m constantly having to think of new solutions to problems. I enjoy working within the Level Crossing Team and also going onsite before I do my level crossing designs. I have also been an active STEM ambassador since 2017 and the Deputy Chair to the Academic and Schools Committee at SYSTRA, the committee plans and organises STEM events. I have enjoyed attending and presenting at various events such as workshops and career fairs in different schools to help promote engineering and to break the engineering stereotype, focusing on gender diversity. Through being a STEM ambassador I was invited to an event at the House of Commons which has definitely been a highlight for me.
What project(s) are you working on at the moment?
I have worked on many different major rail projects over the course of my apprenticeship including the Transpennine route upgrade, Macclesfield Re-signalling and York Central. I am currently working on project Ely to Peterborough Level Crossings.
What does a typical day at work involve?
A typical day at work for me involves attending project meetings, discussing my designs with my seniors and creating my designs on Microstation before they are finally checked. Drawings can take anything from months to complete to just a day depending on how detailed my design needs to be.
What encouraged you to do an Apprenticeship?
I choose an apprenticeship as I wanted to start my career in engineering whilst still earning a salary. I liked how by doing an apprenticeship I can gain work experience in the industry as well as gaining qualifications.
What did you do prior to your Apprenticeship?
After finishing my GCSE’s I did a Business Administration apprenticeship at an events company where my role was an events organiser. After 4 years and after completion of the apprenticeship, I decided I wanted to try something different and was offered a job as a Document Controller at SYSTRA Ltd (current company). It was whilst working as a Document Controller I became interested in the more technical side of the business. I was then given the opportunity to move to the Level Crossing Team and to start my engineering career by doing an apprenticeship in Railway Engineering.
What are the benefits?
The main benefit to doing an apprenticeship is that you get paid to learn whilst gaining hands on experience. Many people who leave College/University with the same qualification as you won’t have actual industry experience so for future job prospects apprentices have an advantage.
What are your future plans?
I am now enrolled on a Level 6 Degree apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at Leeds Becket University, which I hope to have completed in the next 5 years. On completion of my Degree, I hope to eventually become a charted Civil Engineer.
What do you enjoy doing outside work?
Outside of work I enjoy shopping, eating at nice restaurants and traveling. I try to visit at least two new countries every year!