International Women in Engineering Day aims to raise the profile of women in engineering, celebrate their achievements, and highlight some of the career opportunities available to women around the world.
To mark the occasion, we caught up with Bailey our Apprentice Manufacturing Engineer. Bailey’s current role within Terracon includes the planning and coordination of production processes to ensure smooth running, from nesting parts for plasmas, tracking and organising cutting schedules, liaising with customers, suppliers and organising materials. At Terracon, we’re dedicated to providing the best career paths for all our employees, empowering them to reach their full potential.
Why did you choose an apprenticeship in Engineering?
Apprenticeships greatly appealed to me throughout my time at school, they were a chance to earn and learn at the same time without getting into a lot of debt from going to University. As girls, we were always put off roles that are seen to be male dominated. There’s a lot of perceptions out there that the engineering industry involves a lot of heavy manual work, however I didn’t let that stop me. Engineering appealed to me because of its dynamic and diverse nature, the technological advancements and cutting edge technology means those perceptions are outdated, and being able to take a product from design right through to production was something I found exciting and had a great interest in. Having an interest in engineering, I knew the apprenticeship route was going to be the best way to progress, by being able to learn on the job is something that can’t be underestimated.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
My work differs every day, no two days are the same for me. My role is very hands on, I get to work on a range of projects, meet new people, all whilst continuously learning new skills and developing in my desired career with Terracon.
What do you like most about working with Terracon?
Terracon is a fantastic place to work, it’s a forward thinking company that put its employee at the forefront of everything they do. The support from the team has been unbelievable, there is no such thing as a silly question. Everyone is always willing to listen and help, which makes working here a very enjoyable experience.
What advice would you give any other females thinking about joining the engineering world?
Go for it! Don’t let the ‘gremlin on your shoulder’ influence the way you approach something. There’s a perception that being a woman in engineering isn’t a normal path to take, but actually it can really accelerate your career. You get the opportunity to add something different to the industry and it’s a really fantastic and rewarding place to work.
At Terracon, we take great pride in our fantastic work culture, benefits and facilities, striving to provide the best possible workplace environment. If you want to join a forward thinking company, get in touch with us today, we’d love to hear from you!