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After starting his Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship at Alpha three years ago, Morgan has found his passion for production engineering. Now as he approaches the end of his apprenticeship, he has progressed to the role of Trainee Production Engineer through hard work, grit and determination. Morgan tells us about his career journey, his current role and his hopes for the future as he starts his career post-apprenticeship. |
“I knew I was interested in a career in engineering from a young age so I went to an engineering based school, The JCB Academy. That said, after finishing high school, I was still unsure which path to take until I was introduced to the Alpha Manufacturing apprenticeship scheme at a school careers event. The apprenticeship really caught my eye over alternative programmes as it offers so much experience in a variety of areas, allowing me the opportunity to discover where I saw my future.
“During my apprenticeship, I really enjoyed the rotations between departments, gaining valuable experience in all areas, especially the CNC Miller and Lathes. Through conversation with Production Engineer Gemma Smith, who used to be a Higher Apprentice at Alpha, she told me about the role of a Design Engineer, which sounded right up my street. I quizzed Gemma about the role and I immediately asked if I could spend some in production and design engineering. The support from Apprentice Manager, William Davies-Hill has been incredible, there’s a real culture of people development at Alpha, even outside of the apprenticeship, so William was pleased I’d found a skills-area to steer my career towards.
“My day to day job consists of everything from designing parts to managing my own prototype projects. I reveled in the opportunity of designing something new to fit the customers’ brief on my first prototype project. Although it was a lot of responsibility, it was a great experience to manage each part of the project. From modelling the parts, to creating drawings for them to be made on the shop floor, programming the parts to be cut on our laser cutters and once the parts were cut to see them go through the folding, welding, machining and coating was so rewarding. A major part of managing this project meant I had to keep track of all the parts and ensure progress was being made at every stage. I didn’t just oversee this project, I also got stuck in with coating and assembling the parts myself so I could gain even deeper experience. The best part about this is when you show the finished product to the customer and it results in orders which makes everything worthwhile and gives me great job satisfaction.
“I’m just about to go through the final interview processes as a graduating apprentice, but already I’m thankful to have been given the opportunity to work as a Trainee Production Engineer. I’ve gained huge experience in the business and spending three years on the shop floor has allowed me to learn some fundamental engineering and machining skills. My aspirations have really changed since I joined the apprenticeship, even when I joined I wasn’t sure where my future would be, but now, three years on the design department is where my future is heading. I can now say with confidence I have found my career path thanks to the support from Alpha during my apprenticeship. I’m so glad that I have found something that interests me so much and that I now get to do something I love every day.”
Want to read more about our Production Team? Meet Sean McColl and Gemma Smith.
