"At school, I particularly enjoyed maths, physics, and design and manufacture and I knew I wanted to pursue a career in engineering.
"I spoke to representatives from Fife College at my school careers fair and I was very impressed with the variety of courses on offer at the College.
"I enjoyed both National Certificate: Mechanical Engineering and Wind Turbine Maintenance (Technical Knowledge) and, in particular, the opportunity to learn hands on practical skills.
"I especially enjoyed the opportunity to travel to France for two weeks to see a verity if renewable energy projects, as well as coal and nuclear plants.
"I feel both courses I studied helped me to gain knowledge, skills, and confidence which have helped me to gain the mechanical engineering apprenticeship I am now undertaking.
"After completing the Wind Turbine course, I started a four-year mechanical engineering apprenticeship with Forth Ports.
"I spend four days working in the Port of Leith and one day a week at Fife College where I have returned to study HNC: Mechanical Engineering part-time as part of my apprenticeship. I’ll then move on to HND: Mechanical Engineering.
“I am really enjoying my apprenticeship programme at the Port of Leith, where I am part of a very experienced maintenance team. I am gaining a huge variety of experiences, new skills, and valuable knowledge every day as I develop my career.
“I find that one day a week at the College really suits me because I’m much more of a hands-on learner. Being at work four days a week is really good for my development and progression.
"I would recommend the courses I have studied at Fife College to other school leavers looking to gain knowledge, practical skills, and a good qualification to help them secure a good apprenticeship or full-time job.
“I have no intention of leaving Forth Ports when I finish my apprenticeship. I absolutely love where I work and love what I do and there’s real scope to progress at the company. A lot of the senior staff started off as apprentices, so there’s a good record of progression. I’m planning to stay here and try to work my way to the top.”
