Celebrating National Apprenticeship Week

To celebrate this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, we sat down with Emily Backhouse and Mike Boucher to explore their journeys into engineering. Both followed the apprenticeship route, and their stories show that there’s no single path into the profession - just the one that’s right for you.

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

Emily
I chose to do an apprenticeship for a variety of reasons. After my A-Levels I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue in a solely academic environment, so the mix of classroom and on the job training suited me a lot more. There were so many incredible companies offering really interesting apprenticeships, it was an easy decision to make! I also really wanted the opportunity to gain work experience and learn from some of the best in the industry. After applying to companies that really interested me, and being interviewed at assessment centres, I was lucky enough to get a space on the NESO (previously part of National Grid) engineer training programme. This scheme had a mixture of on the job training and university learning. The energy industry is such an exciting place to be right now, and being able to be part of that straight out of school was such a wonderful experience.

Mike
At school, I performed best in STEM subjects and achieved strong GCSE results. Like many young people, I initially followed the ‘traditional’ route of A-levels, with the intention of progressing to university and then onto a graduate scheme. However, it quickly became clear that the formal classroom-based learning environment didn’t suit me. Within three months, I knew I needed to take a different path.

Formal academic learning certainly has its place, but it isn’t right for everyone. Choosing an apprenticeship allowed me to learn in a different way. I would get the real world experience I craved, whilst developing my skills with formal learning.

How did learning whilst working benefit you?

Emily
I am the kind of person that learns through doing, so being able to follow alongside a qualified engineer and learn from their expertise worked really well for me. My apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to do several long placements in engineering teams around the business, as well as spending time on operational sites. This gave me plenty of time to shadow experienced engineers, ask questions and take on my own responsibilities. I liked being able to discuss why we followed the processes we did and being able to see the results of my work. When I went to university, I could see my work reflected in the concepts we were learning.

Mike
One of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship is the opportunity to see real-world problems being solved every day. Working alongside technicians and engineers who truly understand their craft gave me invaluable insight into how engineering works and how to solve problems in the real world.

In a classroom, you learn the principles and theories, often with ‘ideal’ conditions. Out on site you see those principles being applied to real challenges. These experiences helped me develop problem-solving skills, and gain an understanding of how decisions impact safety, performance, and outcomes.

How did working alongside experienced engineers benefit you?

Emily
Working alongside experienced engineers was very inspirational for me, especially seeing engineers who I had worked closely with and admired. The thing that really sticks with me the most is how people would go out of their way to explain concepts and to show me what they were working on. Everyone I was lucky enough to learn from, was so passionate about what they were doing. One thing I found really helpful in building my confidence is that people would be honest if they didn’t know the answer to a question, and would reach out to other engineers who would know. That sense of working as a team and sharing knowledge has stayed with me throughout my career. I think that being an apprentice helps you to realise that your colleagues all want to see you succeed too, and that gives you the confidence to grow into your role.

Mike
Learning directly from experienced technicians and engineers played a huge role in my development. They took the time to explain not just how things were done, but why. Their guidance helped me build confidence, develop professional standards, and understand the importance of teamwork and communication.

That support network was instrumental in shaping both my technical ability and my mindset as an engineer.

What would you say is the biggest advantage of the apprenticeship route is?

Emily
Looking back, learning how to identify people’s skills was such a valuable advantage I gained from my apprenticeship. I am incredibly lucky to be able to still work with people I met whilst on my apprenticeship nearly 10 years ago and I still learn from them today. Having the ability to realise that everyone in the room brings their own experience and expertise means that meetings can become really collaborative and solutions can be found so much faster. It also means I always know who to ask now when an apprentice asks me a tricky question!

Mike
When I first left college, I genuinely believed that the door to a university degree had closed. Without A-levels, I couldn’t see a clear route into higher education. My apprenticeship changed that perception entirely. It gave me the knowledge, confidence, and access qualifications I needed, enabling me to go on to achieve a First Class Engineering degree from the Open University in 2020.

The three years I spent completing my advanced apprenticeship gave me the confidence to tackle complex challenges and contribute to the delivery of exciting, large-scale projects. Looking back, it’s clear that my apprenticeship didn’t just start my career - it made it possible.

For anybody thinking about it my advice would be

Take some time. Look at the options. Do what’s right for you. There is a path that is right for everybody.