National Apprenticeship Week 2019: Emma Meek06 March 2019

National Apprenticeship Week, 4-8 March, shines a light on future technicians and engineers, and the courses, teachers and employers that prepare them for success. Emma Meek is an engineering apprentice at Kohler Mira.

I am an engineering apprentice in my 3rd year of training. I have taken part in short taster placements around the business mainly focusing on engineering functions. This allowed me to choose which departments I enjoyed and have enabled me to select potential departments where I want to carry out extended placements in. I recently carried out a continuous improvement project within operations in the “Continuous Improvement Team”, this is somewhere I have thoroughly enjoyed and have been asked to return for an extended duration for 2019.

Since a young age I have always been with my dad helping him fix all things around the house and in the garage. As I grew up, I never thought I'd be able to follow in his footsteps as the popularity of female engineers was low. However, through pursing my passion and with continuous support from my parents, I realised I could follow what I love the most and become an engineer as I have always wanted through an apprenticeship opportunity.

The apprenticeship at Kohler Mira has developed my skills significantly, I have been able to learn on the job training in an external facility (GET) and then practice these skills within Kohler Mira during my 2nd and 3rd year in the business. This has been an excellent way to learn the vital skills and attributes used in everyday engineering to ensure I can adopt and implement them within engineering tasks at Kohler Mira. University did not take my fancy, therefore an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect opportunity to pursue the career I wanted.

I have learnt so much throughout my apprenticeship so far, the main skill I have developed is my confidence. At the start of my apprenticeship I was very shy and was overwhelmed by the diverse engaging business, however throughout many opportunities Kohler Mira have provided, for example; training courses funded by the business, have enable me to develop this skill in a professional way directly related to the company. I have had first-hand experience with live projects in a variety of different engineering departments, where I have been constantly widening the breath of my knowledge and expertise of the areas in relation to the business. I have also learnt that not all projects have a successful outcome but doing the best you possibly can to try to achieve a positive outcome has been something I have taken in during my apprenticeship so far. I have learnt to focus on my development also, I always strive to be the best version of myself through making the most of every opportunity and thriving to complete tasks to my highest standard. My apprenticeship and Kohler Mira have taught me a lot so far and I am excited and determined to constantly pursue my career and develop significantly along the way.

I would highly recommend anyone to consider an apprenticeship in an area they have a passion for. I am so glad I chose the apprenticeship route as I have learnt vital skills and attributes while on the job. The support network at Kohler Mira has enabled me to learn and develop in such a positive way since the day I started, and I would love for all others with passion and career driven characteristics to experience exactly what I have so far.

I have high ambitions for my future and further studies at GET our training provider (Gloucestershire Engineering Training), I essentially want to progress to my highest potential and achieve positive grades. With the determination and passion, I have for engineering, I hope to successfully complete my HNC/D qualification and progress onto degree level. I have the ambition to find an operations project-based role within company to continuously improve my skills with associate engagement, continuous improvement and project management. I love working for Kohler Mira, the learning opportunities along with the friendly community make it such an enjoyable place.

Emma Meek

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