Martha Haines
Published on 17/06/2025
Name: Martha Haines
Job title - Degree apprentice
Employer - AtkinsRéalis
Course - Mechanical manufacturer
Q. What or who inspired you to pursue a career in engineering?
It started around GCSE level when I was doing resistant materials. I really enjoyed that class, I loved it. So I thought, 'What kind of jobs are similar to what I've been doing in this class?' And that's when I discovered engineering, did a bit of research, and just kind of went for it.
Q. What made an apprenticeship the right choice for you? And how has your journey been so far?
I think I always knew university wasn't the route I wanted to take. You often hear that after getting your degree, finding a job can be really tough. So I thought with an apprenticeship, you gain on-the-job experience, you're getting paid and you're earning a degree. So it definitely always seemed like a good option. Plus, my parents did apprenticeships back in their day, so that background definitely also influenced my decision.
While going straight from A-levels to a full-time job felt daunting at first, the support from my colleagues has been fantastic. The incredible support I’ve received from everyone around me has made the transition much smoother than I expected. I only finished my A-levels last year, so the academic side of things haven't been too much of a jump. It's been a nice easing-in period this year, before it ramps up in the following years.
Q. In what ways do you believe your apprenticeship is equipping you for a successful career?
The apprenticeship is giving me a well-rounded skillset. My time so far has been invaluable for developing relevant skills applicable to my everyday role and understanding what it truly means to be an apprentice.
I'm also gaining significant experience in networking and learning how to communicate effectively with new people on projects. Surprisingly, presenting – something I didn't expect to be doing this much – has become quite integrated into both my degree and work. It’s definitely also preparing me to build professional relationships within the industry.
Beyond technical skills, I'm also learning to prioritise and organise my workload effectively, which helps me balance my studies with my full-time work, and even maintain a social life and pursue hobbies.
Q. What are you most enjoying about your apprenticeship experience at the AMRC Training Centre?
I really enjoy the atmosphere in the classrooms. It's not like going into massive lecture halls where you feel disconnected from your lecturer. I appreciate the smaller class sizes, around 17 people, as I think they foster a more collaborative atmosphere. You really get to know the teachers and feel comfortable asking any question without feeling silly. The students in the classes also get to know each other really well, which is great for building relationships with classmates and adds to the overall positive experience.
Q. Tell us about your current job role and work at Atkins Realis.
The structure has been a bit unconventional, as we're also doing a Level 3 qualification alongside the degree apprenticeship. Typically, work at AtkinsRéalis involves project work, potentially for several months at a time. However, due to changes in the block release schedule, we've had to adapt and take on smaller tasks rather than large, long-term projects.
So far, my time has been more focused on support roles. Because of the scheduling, fully committing to long-term projects hasn't been possible yet, leading to a variety of smaller tasks and project-related work when we're in the office.
However, I've been able to apply what I've learned to these smaller tasks. For example, there are 3D printers in the office, and a couple of projects needed parts or models printed. So, we used what we learned in our Level 3 computer-aided design (CAD) course and the 3D printing module to help with that.
I'm very grateful for the welcoming environment at AtkinsRéalis and I’m really excited about being involved in bigger projects as things progress.
Q. What advice would you offer to others considering an apprenticeship?
I think this might sound a bit cheeky, but something I've told friends and family is: if you're considering an apprenticeship, try it. And if you start an apprenticeship and don't like it, you can always find something else you're passionate about.
But I think it's definitely worth trying in the engineering industry because it gets your foot in the door and puts you a step ahead. You start networking much earlier and build connections within the industry, which makes it easier to move between different engineering disciplines after you finish your degree. The networking aspect – getting to know people, having contacts – is so valuable.
And just the experience itself: getting hands-on, working on projects, being involved in something that has a real-world impact. You really feel like you're contributing to something tangible.
Q. What are you most excited about and/or looking forward to during your apprenticeship? Any hopes and aspirations for the future that you'd like to share?
To answer that, I'd say I'm most excited about getting stuck in and involved with projects that make a positive impact. I’m only at the start of my apprenticeship journey so to see my work contribute to decisions or changes would be incredible. Moving three hours away from home to pursue this opportunity has been one of the best decisions I've ever made, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
My main aspiration right now is to successfully complete my degree and become a chartered engineer, and I'm hopeful to see more women pursue careers in engineering.
Inspired to start your apprenticeship journey?