Media | Apprenticeships

Oxfordshire science facilities lead the way in training the UK’s engineers of tomorrow

Diamond Light Source and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) are arming the engineers of tomorrow with the vital skills and experience needed to succeed in the UK job market, as youth unemployment figures hit 1,000,000.


Run by STFC with a third of support from Diamond Light Source, the Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship scheme at STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) has been running for 19 years and is one of the best apprenticeship schemes in the country.
 
As the government announces new measures to ensure more young people benefit from an apprenticeship, the scheme at RAL celebrates the graduation of another five young engineers as they embark on careers in the technical and engineering sector. Their achievement was applauded during the scheme’s annual awards ceremony earlier this month, with special guest Phil Taylor, from the 2009 series of BBC’s The Apprentice. Phil spoke to the current and graduating apprentices and new recruits about his own experience doing an engineering apprenticeship and the invaluable life skills he picked up along the way, before handing out the awards.
 
Eynsham resident 19 year old Jamie Nutter (pictured left with The Apprentice's Phil Taylor), who has just completed his apprenticeship and now works at STFC’s ISIS neutron source as an electronics technician, made a clean sweep picking up three awards: the ‘Alfie Phillips’ award, for consistently good reports in each placement; the ‘Joe Hoskins’ award for achieving an excellent record and helping others with their training; and the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award, jointly with Paul Cross, aged 19 from Abingdon.
 
“This is an excellent way to end my apprenticeship, I’m honoured to be given these awards. It’s with thanks to my supervisors and mentors, everyone has been so helpful from day one. I decided to do an engineering apprenticeship because I didn’t think A-levels were for me. I’m so glad I did it because I’ve enjoyed every moment and have picked up lots of important skills along the way, not to mention making some really good friends for life. I’ve been working fulltime now since the start of October and it’s everything I thought it would be – lots of interesting and varied hands-on work.”

Jamie Nutter, former apprentice

Twenty-two year old Lauren Summers (pictured right) from Wantage received the ‘Apprentice Achievement’ award for successfully balancing her engineering training whilst representing Great Britain in the World Ice Hockey Championships. She said, “I didn’t know I was going to receive this award so it’s a great surprise. It has been tricky doing my ice hockey training and the apprenticeship but I thoroughly enjoy both so I don’t mind working hard. My ultimate aim is to work in the space industry. The apprenticeship scheme offers a way into this field with RAL having a Space Department so I’m hoping to get a permanent position there when I complete my training next year.”

“It is vital that facilities such as Diamond help train the skilled technicians of tomorrow. Diamond began supporting this scheme in 2008 so this is the first year we’re seeing apprentices who were placed at the synchrotron graduate. We’re very pleased and proud. Every day we rely on trained technical people to keep our facility operational and many of our current employees have come up through doing apprenticeships so we are keen to play our part and support this scheme.”

Jim Kay, Head of Engineering at Diamond
 
Other awards received during the evening were as follows: 20 year old Adam Taylor from Wantage received the ‘Apprentice Progress’ award for his determination to complete his training; 21 year old Jacob Simms from Oxford received the ‘Apprentice Recognition’ award for his work on a promotional DVD for the scheme; and 21 year old Jamie Searis from Wantage received the ‘Lyn and Trevor Woodger’ award for outstanding effort.
 
 
The Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship scheme at RAL offers school and college-leavers comprehensive training in electrical, electronic and mechanical engineering in unique working environments such as the Diamond synchrotron, the ISIS neutron source, and RAL Space. The four-year scheme receives applications every March, with successful applicants starting their foundation year at college in the following September. Find out more 
 
Additional work experience opportunities at Diamond include summer placement roles, internships and general short-term work experience. Find out more