A student of Kibble’s Skills Academy bolted ahead of thousands to become one of only 20 candidates invited for interview.
The Skills Academy is Kibble’s education and training centre, which supports young people in preparing for their future. Students can gain academic and vocational qualifications and receive help to enter the world of work or begin higher education. Time at the academy boosts confidence and encourages young people to fulfil their potential and achieve.
Young people who attend The Skills Academy often discover an interest in one of the various subject choices available and start to consider pursuing a livelihood in their preferred industry. For one particular young person, their curiosity lay in building, operating machinery and understanding how technical tools function. The student has excelled in engineering-related subjects. As well as prioritising English and Maths, the young person fully engages in the practical lessons, career guidance and employer partnerships that the Skills Academy can offer.
At the academy, the young person has spent time in the construction and joinery workshop and successfully completed their Construction Craft and Technician SCQF Level 4 qualification. The hands-on learning experience of technical drawing, building stable structures and health and safety provided a solid foundation of how to learn about engineering.
Also, the young person attended West College Scotland and completed an Introduction to Engineering. The coursework involved studying: mechanical and fabrication, electrical and electronic, and maintenance. The insight into key topics confirmed this is the field the young person has the power to excel in.
The employer partnership between Kibble’s Skills Academy and Howden Compressors led to a 10-week taster apprenticeship for the young person. The young person joined the team at the major engineering firm and saw for themselves the camaraderie of all who were dedicated to forming a finalised product from separate components. The packed schedule only strengthened the motivation of the aspiring engineer.
The young person described their first look into the world of engineering as exciting. Immediately, from the very first day, he felt welcome. He explained: “On my first day I was given workwear, work boots and a red hard hat – whereas everyone who worked there wore a white hat. This is another safety measure, so that visitors can easily be identified. I was the only red hat, which made me stand out but each person who passed by me said hello and was friendly.”
“I was taught that each area designed a specific component, before helping slot the sections together. It was fascinating to see the process from beginning to end and the attention to detail at every stage.”
“I enjoyed meeting new people too. The people I worked with explained their career journeys and it made me imagine the steps I would take to become an engineer and hopefully tell a similar story one day. I want a job where the days go quick because I am busy doing something I enjoy. Another dream I have is to travel and engineering is a job that could let me work abroad or save up to go on holiday.”
“Once the 10-week placement ended, I decided to apply for Howden’s Apprenticeship Programme. I knew it was popular with thousands of applicants but that didn’t stop me from trying and sharing my enthusiasm for the company.”
“When I applied for the official Howdens Apprenticeship Programme, I was accepted through to the interview stage. I met the other applicants and some had Highers, degrees, and more work experience than me. I started to think there was no way I could compete with them but reminded myself I can keep learning and one day become an engineer. There’s always next year’s round of apprenticeship applications.”
Head of Planning at Howden Compressors, Bruce welcomed the young person’s interest into the world of engineering: “The student showed great enthusiasm and maturity for engineering and if their determination continues, the young person has huge potential to be a bright spark in the industry.”
“Howden Compressors is committed to developing talent, and meeting a young person with a clear sense of direction was inspiring for us as well. During the work placement, they engaged directly with our Apprentices and Engineers, asking questions about the field and each individual’s career path. It was apparent they were eager to learn and genuinely curious about the experiences and insights of those around them.”
The young person’s self-belief is inspiring and he has the full support of his academy Instructors and Employability Coordinator. Resilience is a character trait that cannot be underestimated and together with the education team, the young person will move closer to vision of starting a career as an engineer.
Kibble Employability Coordinator, Gillian says it has been a privilege to watch the student aim to be an engineer. She is proud of the young person for completing the work placement and putting themselves forward for the Apprenticeship Programme while still only a teenager.
Gillian explains how impressed she has been with the young person’s perseverance: “It seemed as if the student took the work placement at Howden in his stride. It was a totally new experience for him, yet he thrived in the workplace and now has a reference for future applications.”
“By reaching the interview stage of Howden’s Apprenticeship Programme, narrowly missing one of the ten apprenticeships available, he remains positive and still eager to become an engineer and continue with college before re-applying to apprenticeship opportunities in the future.”
“He is a winner in our eyes here at the academy.”
This future engineer is only getting started.
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