Tell us how you started your career? What prompted you to apply for an apprenticeship?
I started my career with Otis as an apprentice in the Leicester area after seeing the advertisement for the job and researching the industry, I wanted an apprenticeship as it suits my hands-on learning approach.
What were the biggest learnings/lessons from your time as an apprentice?
As an apprentice, I learned to manage my workload as I had a multitude of responsibilities. I also became aware of the sheer number of different technologies and scenarios in the industry. This excited me to be part of an ever moving and advancing lift community.
What made you want to work in the lift industry?
Although I wanted to work in engineering, I didn’t specifically set out to become a lift engineer. However, after researching the industry I realised how interesting lifts are and the wide range of skills necessary to work safely on them. This drew me in as I knew the training and knowledge would be highly transferable and would likely secure me employment for life.
How can we make the industry more diverse?
I believe that the best way to make the lift industry more diverse is to advertise the roles more actively to bring in a diverse selection of applicants without any prior connections to lifts.
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
I am very proud that I completed my lift technology NVQ and for being the first to pass the LEIA Assessment gateway from Otis. I will strive to continue this standard throughout my career.
How have you found the end-point assessment process?
I found the process to be exciting and a great opportunity to show off the knowledge I had gained during my apprenticeship. It was a great way of confirming that I was ready to be on my own jobs as a fully competent lift engineer. It gave me a real confidence going into my first solo jobs.
What would you say to other young people considering an apprenticeship?
To other young people considering an apprenticeship, I would say go for it! The skills you learn will be invaluable in your career and the investment in yourself for a few years will massively pay off for the rest of your life.
How about employers who may never have hired an apprentice, what are the business benefits to them?
There are many ways a business might benefit from an apprenticeship programme; the loyalty generated by investing in an individual’s progression will prove invaluable over the length of a career. Taking an apprentice right from the initial phase of their learning will allow you to create all the working habits you require as a company and ensure that you take full control over your company’s culture in the future.
What’s next for you?
I have already taken the next steps to further my career by enrolling in another course provided by Otis via LEIA. It is confidence-boosting and inspiring to know that my company is still investing in my education after my apprenticeship. There is a wide range of courses available within the industry to gain more knowledge, which will propel me on my path to becoming a highly competent and well-rounded employee.
