From Production Operator to Process Engineer?

My name is Liga. I joined West in April 2016 as a Production Operator, and I’m sharing my story about how I became a Process Engineer in the hope that it will inspire others to build an amazing career at West.??

I’d been at West for a few months when my Production Group Leader (PGL) asked if I would mind being trained so I could provide holiday cover as a back-up technician. I felt scared. I had some understanding about how the machines worked, but my PGL was brilliant. Their belief in my ability encouraged me to say yes. And I’ve never looked back.??

My first day as a technician was great. I felt “yes, I can actually do this.” I think my fear came from a misconception that you need to be a man to become a technician, there were no other female technicians at the time. But it’s just not true. If I can do it, anyone can. Becoming a full-time Process Technician became the natural next step. I learnt everything I needed to know step-by-step by shadowing other process technicians and process engineers.??

From there my career blossomed. I investigated the training and development opportunities available as part as West’s Future Education Assistance program. I applied for a Level 5 certificate in Injection Moulding, but my manager (Senior Process Engineer) suggested I should apply for a West funded online Engineering Degree. Once again, his belief in me gave me the confidence that I could do it.??

I’m not saying it was easy. I was still working full time. Discipline, time management and determination were key. It’s a very intense degree with continuous assessment, culminating in exams. Having study and exam leave did help. I completed my exams in May 2021, got the results in the middle of June and applied for an open process engineer position and got promoted again in November 2021.?

I love being a Process Engineer. It’s never straight forward, it can be extremely challenging but it’s always interesting and I have an incredible team around me. We are all so much in sync that we kind of work for each other.??

I never imagined I would be where I am today. My advice for anyone joining West is to explore the opportunities and make a five-year career plan. Start with your big ambition and work back from there about the steps you need to take from where you are today. Go for it!?

At West, regardless of who you are and your background, if you have the ambition, you can become anything you want to. It’s in your hands.??