Real Stories, Real Success
Nadya’s Story:
“As a T-Level student at Manchester College, studying Design, Planning, and Surveying Level 3, my journey took an exciting turn when I started a work experience placement with Dalkia at the Paterson Development Project. What began as a mere introduction to the industry soon became so much more.
I was particularly struck by the diversity at Dalkia – meeting professionals of all trades, backgrounds, and experiences. They welcomed me, shared their day-to-day life, and opened my eyes to the many paths in engineering. The chance to shadow different roles in my first week led me to a surprising discovery – a deep interest in planning.
My enthusiasm didn’t go unnoticed, and I was thrilled when Dalkia offered me a full-time position along with the chance to further my education and career. I am now embarking on a Level 4 apprenticeship, a significant milestone that aligns with the first year of an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Certificate (HNC), marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in my professional journey.”
Ross’ Story
“After leaving school with an interest in electrical engineering, I pursued a college course but had to leave due to personal circumstances, which led to me working in a restaurant at age 21, which was far from the path I had originally set out on.
I decided that an apprenticeship could possibly be the answer for me, so I found myself an electrical apprentice position that merged practical work with college. This led to a steady career progression from an electrician to a project manager.
Over 26 years, I’ve managed increasingly complex projects, including my favourite, the Liverpool Main Stand extension, which was completed in 2016. Although it wasn’t initially part of my plan after leaving school, pursuing an apprenticeship, as it turned out, provided me with the best chance of success I currently enjoy. In my opinion, there is no substitute for practical experience gained on the job, which offers a real understanding of the daily challenges faced on site. This invaluable knowledge is precisely what apprenticeships offer. Those who are ready to take this route and put in the work will certainly make it in this industry”