Hasiba Nawaz

Employer: Balmoral Tanks Ltd

Job title: Junior systems development engineer

Course: Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship – Technical Support Pathway and Level 6 Product Design & Development Degree Apprenticeship

Q. Why did an apprenticeship appeal to you?

Growing up, I spent almost every weekend on our family’s building site. I was surrounded by construction from a young age, whether that involved learning about bricklaying, laying foundations or watching different tools and machinery being used. I often joke that I probably spent more time holding a hammer than playing with Barbie dolls.

Those weekends sparked something in me. I was learning as I went along and every time I returned to the site, there was something new for me to discover. I was given the freedom to try things, make mistakes and learn from them. That experience taught me from a young age that failure is not necessarily a bad thing. It is often an important part of learning, improving and eventually getting something right.

I also remember our dining table being covered with architectural drawings, which introduced me to the design side of construction. Later, while completing a BTEC in Product Design during my GCSEs, I developed an interest in CAD, 3D printing and laser cutting. It opened my eyes to how ideas could be developed digitally and then turned into physical products. That was when I began to think, “I wouldn’t mind doing this as a career.”

At that point, I did not really know what an apprenticeship was. I first discovered apprenticeships at a career fair while completing my GCSEs and it felt like a whole new world had opened up to me. When I heard the phrase “earn while you learn”, my immediate reaction was, “Wait, you can actually do that?” The opportunity to gain a qualification, develop practical skills and build real industry experience at the same time sounded ideal.

When I discussed it with my family, there was understandably some uncertainty. I was the first person in my family to pursue an apprenticeship, so it was unfamiliar territory for all of us. Some family members and teachers questioned whether it was the right path for me, which I found frustrating because I already knew how well practical learning suited me. However, their doubts made me even more determined to prove that this was the right decision for my future.

The journey was not completely straightforward. I was unsuccessful after my first interview for a Level 3 apprenticeship, and while that was disappointing, I did not allow it to stop me. I applied again and secured my apprenticeship on my second attempt. I also had a BTEC in Engineering at Sheffield College lined up as an alternative, so I knew that, whatever happened, I would continue working towards a career in engineering.

Ultimately, an apprenticeship appealed to me because it offered the practical route into engineering that I had always wanted. I could develop my technical knowledge in a structured way while applying it within a real working environment, rather than learning through theory alone. It also gave me the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to live engineering projects and work towards a recognised qualification.

Most importantly, the apprenticeship suited the way I learn. I could ask questions, test ideas, make mistakes and understand how engineering decisions work in practice. Looking back, it combined everything I had enjoyed growing up: learning by doing, solving problems and turning ideas into something real.

Q. How is your apprenticeship giving you the skills and knowledge you need for a rewarding career?

My apprenticeship has allowed me to progress from a Level 3 apprentice to a Level 6-degree apprentice and junior systems development engineer. I have developed technical knowledge while applying it to real engineering challenges, building experience in Autodesk Inventor, Autodesk Vault, CAD automation and systems development. This has also helped me understand how design decisions affect manufacturing, quality and efficiency.

I now develop and maintain 3D CAD configurators, support product standardisation and manage technical support for Design Teams across multiple sites. I have also helped build a help desk to track recurring issues and identify system improvements. Working with different departments and presenting to design teams and senior leaders has strengthened my communication, problem-solving and project-management skills, while teaching me to justify my decisions and take ownership of my work.

Beyond my technical role, becoming an AMRC STEM Champion led to opportunities in school outreach, being a part of the Enginuity365, Girls Gone STEM tiktok initiative, work experience mentoring and a Parliamentary roundtable. I am proud to have won Advanced Apprentice of the Year and STEM Apprentice of the Year, as well as becoming an Enginuity Awards finalist. These experiences have developed my confidence and given me a strong foundation for a long-term career in engineering.

Q. What is the best part about doing an apprenticeship at the University of Sheffield AMRC Training Centre?

For me, the best part was the practical style of learning. I have always thrived in a hands-on environment, so being able to apply what I learned at the AMRC Training Centre directly to my role made the experience much more meaningful. It was not simply about learning theory to pass an assessment. I could understand why it was important, recognise where it was used in industry and apply it to real projects at work.

I also valued the clear learning pathway that the apprenticeship provided. You are not expected to enter the workplace knowing everything, and I think that is important for new apprentices to understand. The programme gradually builds your engineering knowledge, practical skills and confidence, giving you the fundamentals you need before applying them in the workplace.

I spent four days a week at work and one day at the AMRC Training Centre, and I found that balance worked really well. It gave me time to prepare for what we would be learning and reflect on how it related to my role. I could also bring challenges and questions from the workplace into the classroom, which helped make the learning more relevant.

Learning alongside apprentices from different companies was another valuable part of the experience. We could share our knowledge, learn from one another and see how similar engineering principles are applied across different industries.

The programme supports apprentices with different levels of experience and different ways of learning, giving everyone the opportunity to develop at their own pace. Over time, I became more confident in asking questions, contributing ideas and taking responsibility for my own development. The AMRC Training Centre gave me a strong foundation, while my workplace allowed me to build on that knowledge through real responsibility, problem-solving and hands-on experience.

Q. What do you do in your job?

I began my apprenticeship in the design automation team, where I developed and maintained 3D CAD configurators and provided technical support to the design team.

Earlier this year, we became a business-wide systems development team, which has allowed me to become involved in a wider range of projects. I still work on our CAD configurators, but my role is now mainly focused on standardising our product range. I communicate with different departments to understand and agree on the engineering rules behind our products. These rules can then be translated into code and built into our CAD software.

I also help improve systems and processes for other departments. This has given me a much better understanding of how different areas of the business work together and how the systems we develop can make people’s jobs more efficient.

Personal development is also very important to me. I regularly attend CPD-approved Autodesk webinars and use Autodesk University to build my knowledge, which I can then apply to the systems we use at work.

I also really enjoy supporting students who join us for work experience. I had a valuable experience myself, so I want to make sure that they receive the same level of support and leave with a clearer idea of the career path that is right for them.

Q. What advice would you give to other people looking to get an apprenticeship?

My first piece of advice would be to understand what an apprenticeship involves and then explore the different opportunities available. Apprenticeships are not limited to engineering. They are offered across a wide range of industries, including areas such as pharmacy, business and technology, so take the time to find something that genuinely interests you.

I would also recommend gaining some work experience, as this can help you build a clearer picture of the career you want to pursue. Reach out directly to companies you would like to work for, even if cold-calling or emailing feels daunting at first. The worst they can say is no, but they may also offer you an opportunity that you would not have found otherwise.

Try to build a strong portfolio by networking on, getting involved in different projects and developing something independently. It does not have to be perfect or ground-breaking. What matters is that it demonstrates your initiative and shows how you can apply your skills to solve problems and create practical, innovative solutions.

When applying, choose apprenticeships that genuinely appeal to you and read each job description carefully. Make sure you understand the responsibilities, expectations and opportunities involved. Most importantly, do something you enjoy while continuing to develop your transferable skills.

An apprenticeship is not only about learning how to do a particular job. It is also about building your knowledge, confidence, experience and professional skills. I will be completely honest: there will be setbacks and there may be people who try to discourage you. Do not allow that to distract you from what you are working towards. Stay focused, keep improving and do not be afraid to create your own opportunities.