Kamran's Apprenticeship Journey into Engineering

Why did you choose to do an apprenticeship?

Theory in the classroom is not for me. I've always been a practical person. Taking things apart, putting things back together, and getting paid for it is a bonus. As well as gaining experience. You kind of get a reference from a company without getting one.

It's a long and hard process!

Yes! In my course now, I’m mainly with Amazon apprentices. I was once told that for one vacancy there were around 600-700 applicants. It just shows how much growth there is in apprenticeships; showing how desirable the course is that I am on.

It was very, very competitive. But obviously, it goes together with the training and support you get. It's nothing like school. I know a few people that did an apprenticeship in the past and they can’t stop going on about it, so I thought, you know what, I'll try it.

I had a lot of setbacks on the journey of getting an apprenticeship, but I'm here in the end.

What made you choose a career within the aerospace engineering sector?

I really wanted to go down the car route to brands such as Jaguar and Aston Martin. Planes and aerospace weren't really something that I thought about. But then I thought about the bigger picture. Cars are going to develop quickly, and planes probably won't for the next 100 years. So, I felt that there was more development and more security in a non-generic field. Everyone likes cars.

If I could pick now between Jaguar Land Rover or Meggitt, it would be Meggitt. Some of the things that go on in aerospace engineering are just phenomenal.

What drew you to apply for Meggitt? I know you mentioned the fact that it's not generic and it’s super interesting, but were there any other factors?

Obviously, Meggitt is a very big company, so I did not really have any expectations of getting through the application round. But as I got further and further into various company processes, I became more and more confident. This helped me get a few interviews.

But when I went to Meggitt, there was a different sort of atmosphere. I don't want to say ‘less formal,’ but it was more that they want the best in you. So, there was lots of pressure dawning down your neck. But there was no panic. I was at ease. No one is trying to catch you. It was such a supportive atmosphere.

What does a normal day look like for you?

For the first year of the apprenticeship, you’re in training. So just theory, and a lot of practical elements as well. MTC (Manufacturing Technology Centre) balances it quite nicely.

Usually from 8 until about 11 in the morning it’s theory, and then for the rest of the day until 4, it’s practical. I find that works for me, because you're not just sitting in a classroom all day every day.

Mostly it’s trial and error. They're doing Monday all-theory and then the rest of the week practical.

But on-site, I work in maintenance; two days are never the same. I'll go in one day, the machine on the far left might break, so once it’s fixed, that might not break for another three months, and then never have to touch it again. It's kind of general maintenance. It just depends on what side of Meggitt you're on that day.

What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship so far? There's probably lots more to come but so far, what comes to mind?

I will say, getting an apprenticeship in the first place. That's a very rewarding feeling. But then, getting turned down for other apprenticeships feels like a horrible experience. But when you look back, it's not.

What I want to get across is, it took me many tries to get where I am now, so don't think you're going to get one straight away; you might not. It is what it is.

I was selected this year. I'm on a different course, and my group is amazing. So, that’s why I’d say my highlight is getting an apprenticeship in the first place.

It seems like you've fallen into an apprenticeship that really suits you and you like the team and everything's going well, so I'm happy to hear it. To build on this, have there been any challenges?

Every day is a challenge. But obviously, as I said I'm not a very theory or classroom-oriented person. I've had to do maths, health and safety, and mechanical principles. But the training and support I’ve gotten has been phenomenal.

So, I wouldn't say there's a challenge that I've not overcome. There's always going to be a challenge but it's about who's around you that matters.

What advice do you have for anyone considering doing an apprenticeship?

Do it. There's no point waiting. Even with Meggitt, It's the character-building and development you need. I know a lot of other bigger companies don't provide that sort of support network and various opportunities.

To learn more about Kamran, as well as the rest of our GetMyFirstJob Apprentice and Graduate Ambassadors, click here. And to start your own journey into engineering, see what a career in engineering could look like for you.