Adam left UTC Swindon last summer after securing an apprenticeship with leading automotive manufacturer, Honda.
Joining Honda of the UK Manufacturing Ltd as a Technical Support Apprentice, Adam talks about his experience so far: “I am really enjoying my apprenticeship, learning new theory and practical techniques which I can use in the Honda plant, such as Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming, using various different types of 2D and 3D CAD software (such as AutoCAD) and mechanical principles to understand how product testing works. All of these can help me have a baseline understanding for when I receive further training from the experienced engineers on site.”
This year, Adam will be at college studying for his Level 3 Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Extended Diploma), and will go back to the manufacturing plant in Swindon in year two, to the New Model Development and Quality Department.
“I first heard about the opportunity when I met some coordinators for the apprenticeship at the UTC Swindon Careers event, where I had an extensive conversation with them and decided that I wanted to apply for it. After applying, I was put forward for an assessment day that consisted of practical and maths competency exams. I passed these and was then chosen to go to the interview stage. I am now 1 of 8 Technical Support Apprentices.”
“After I have completed my apprenticeship, I hope to gain experience in the specialism that I decide and use this across Honda. I aspire to become a manager in the New Model Development and Quality Departments in Honda of the Uk Manufacturing Ltd and have assignments to other Honda Global manufacturing sites to experience working with a wide range of people and Honda Products – such as the CR-V in Canada, the NSX in the United States and Innovative projects based in Japan”.
Adam, who joined UTC Swindon in Year 10, wanted to follow his passion for engineering. He said, “When I heard about the UTC, I did a lot of research and believed that it was the perfect place for me to increase my engineering skillset. Joining UTC Swindon was the best decision I have ever made as it helped me go beyond my expected levels in GCSEs, as well as professional development.”
He credits UTC Swindon for preparing him for this next step, saying, “The UTC helped me significantly to prepare for my working life, both emotionally and academically. The Philosophy of UTC Swindon in behavioural standards prepares you for the workplace. At the UTC you are treated equally. Academically, UTC Swindon has helped me gain a lot of technical knowledge which has helped me during my further studies with Honda”.
Adam’s advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is this: “Never sell yourself short. If the information you add is relevant, and you can back it up, add it in. Also, when applying for apprenticeships, always look at the qualifications you can gain from the apprenticeship that the company is offering you. Another piece of advice is not to apply for one apprenticeship. Apply for many (covering the same job – if that is the job that you want). Also, I was given this advice: ‘it is better to cherry pick the apprenticeship you want instead of being stuck with an option that you are not keen on’. In my opinion, apprenticeships in the engineering industry are the way forward due to high university costs, and you gain no “on the job” experience (at university). Companies prefer you to be qualified and have experience in industry rather than just knowing the theory!”
We wish Adam the best of luck in the next stage of his career.