Alice Lees

Full name: Alice Lees
Job title: Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprentice
Company name: Rolls-Royce
Studying: Manufacturing Technology Degree Apprenticeship (third/ final year)

Q. Why did an apprenticeship appeal to you? 

I knew I wanted to study engineering due to the wide skill set you develop and the doors that it can open. I also did a week’s work experience at Rolls-Royce and saw the huge variety of work and projects going on. 

For me, it was the opportunity to be in a real working environment as well as learn that was appealing. It's great to learn in a classroom but it's even better to then apply those learnings and see how things work in industry (and get paid for it at the same time!)

Q. What was the best part about doing an apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre? 

The AMRC has been incredibly supportive, I feel like the lecturers know my personal strengths and weaknesses which helps me develop. I’m very thankful to both AMRC Training Centre and Rolls-Royce for being supportive and encouraging me to embrace various opportunities. Their support has opened doors to a wide range of opportunities that I would never have had if I’d have taken the typical university route.

Q. What tips and/or advice would you give to other people looking to do an apprenticeship? 

Do it! You will learn so much more from being in the real environment than being sat in a classroom. It’s a lot of work but it’s definitely worth it. My advice would be to make the most of the opportunity, ask as many questions and talk to as many people as possible. This will allow you to create your own path and find out what you truly enjoy doing.

Q. How do you think your apprenticeship will give you the skills and knowledge you need for a rewarding career?

The apprenticeship has given me so much invaluable experience. Being within a business has greatly developed my soft and interpersonal skills, I have been thrown in the deep end and had to present in meetings and in front of important stakeholders. I have been able to understand what a career in engineering actually looks like, there is so much more to learn than what is in the textbooks.