STUDENT VOICE Student Voice SPRING SUMMER 2017 | Page 28

EVA MACKIE -
EGGER (UK) Limited, Barony Plant
Eva was a dental nurse for
four years before becoming
an Environmental Laboratory
Technician Apprentice with
EGGER (UK) Limited at the
Barony plant in Auchinleck.
Eva, 22, said “I just fancied a total
change. I was bored, I didn’t like
my job anymore and when I saw
this opportunity I thought ‘I like
the sound of that’.
“After my first day here, I
remember going home and
thinking to myself ‘oh no, what
have I done?' From the second
day onwards, however, that
completely changed. I’ve learned
so much and would definitely
COLIN MCEWAN -
Woodward Aircraft Engine
Systems
Colin is in the first year of an
apprenticeship with Woodward
Aircraft Engine Systems, based in
Prestwick.
Colin said “I’m a hands-on
kind of person and was always
interested in going down the
engineering route. I found out
about Woodward through a school
visit at Ardrossan Academy in
fourth year. I kept in contact and
asked if I could arrange some
work experience, which I did a few
months later.
“
recommend an apprenticeship to
anyone.”
The company has a well-
developed apprenticeship
scheme, and recruits mechanical
and electrical apprentices annually.
However, this is the first time
they have employed a laboratory
apprentice.
Eva said “Everyone on the site
knows that I’m the first apprentice
in the lab, so they always go out
of their way to help me. I can ask
anybody anything. I see this as
a long-term career with a stable
and sustainable company. There
are plenty of opportunities to
develop, gain extra training and
progress my career.”
“The week’s work experience
was really useful as I received a
lot of feedback. The best advice
I received about how to get into
the engineering industry was to
do the Performing Engineering
Operations (PEO) course at
Ayrshire College. Just as I was
about to finish the PEO course, I
contacted Woodward. As it turned
out, I got a trial, then got started
as an assembly apprentice.
“I would definitely like to stay at
Woodward once I complete my
apprenticeship and learn as much
as I can. It’s a fairly small company
and I’d like to try to develop my
skills here.”
The best advice I received about how to get into the engineering industry was to do
the PEO course at Ayrshire College. COLIN MCEWAN - WOODWARD AIRCRAFT ENGINE SYSTEMS
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THE STUDENT VOICE SPRING/SUMMER 2017