National Apprenticeship Week: Hannah’s story

The theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is “Skills for Life”, so we wanted to speak to some of our apprentices to find out how an apprenticeship has helped them to master the key skills for their profession. Apprenticeships cover a broad range of industries and qualification levels. Training can be delivered remotely or face-to-face, so learners can choose what fits best with how they want to learn.

Hannah Geddes, a 25-year-old assistant engineer studying at Coventry University is a prime example of how work and study have been a success.

“I’d always been interested in working within an engineering environment, as I was brought up around it. My grandad was a draughtsman at Massey Ferguson and my dad has always been hands-on with machines and cars, both at work and home.”

From studying mechanical and electrical engineering at college and working part-time in a locksmith’s, Hannah knew that engineering was going to be the career for her and started to look for jobs. After seeing an apprenticeship vacancy advertised within RSK Group, Hannah decided that being able to combine learning with getting paid was going to be the right path for her. After successful completion of the level 3 civil engineering apprenticeship, Hannah is now mid-way through her level 6 degree apprenticeship in civil engineering.

How is the course going so far?

“I’m currently in my fourth year of a six-year apprenticeship with RSK and Coventry University. I never thought I would go to university and had no interest in going while I was at school, but RSK gave me the opportunity and I took it.”

How do you manage your study commitments with your daily job?

“I have uni once a week, which is a day release from work. I also have to complete a certain number of hours of ‘off-the-job training’, meaning training during work hours, which wouldn’t normally be in my day-to-day role. I can do uni work in this time, like revision for exams and coursework, as well as doing continuing professional development (CPD). However, I find I still must do work at home on the weekends to fully understand and learn the modules, and to try to gain the best mark I can get.”

What has been the biggest challenge to date?

“There have been some challenges with the apprenticeship – the biggest of all was during the pandemic. All learning was put online, which made it difficult for me to engage and stay motivated. During this time, I was also on furlough, so my state of mind wasn’t in the best place either. However, I came through it with decent marks for that term and things slowly started to come back together and the learning got easier as my motivation came back.”

What advice would you give to others considering an apprenticeship route?

“I would advise to take an apprenticeship if the opportunity presents itself, because it’s not only free education, but you’re also working full-time and earning a full wage, as well as gaining the valuable working experience that most graduates wouldn’t have, giving you an advantage.”

We wish Hannah every success in achieving her level 6 degree apprenticeship and excelling in her career.