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Commenting that she fully deserves the honour of her recent award, Simon Wood BEng (Hons) PGCE IEng FIMechE MIET, professional registration manager at JCB, added:
“Daisy is already a great engineer, she works very hard on her courses and she is also a brilliant advocate for apprentices in general. She says yes to opportunities and is always prepared to take on a challenge. Although she is modest about her own achievements, I hope that spreading the word about Daisy’s award will encourage more young women into engineering.”
Promoting the routes into engineering is a goal that the Institution shares, so we asked Daisy why she feels so passionate about the benefits of apprenticeships.
Q: What does the Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year award mean to you?
Daisy Coombs (DC): The recognition from JCB in nominating me, and the Institution for selecting me, has reinforced my desire to inspire other people to choose apprenticeships. I’ve had such a positive experience and I want to encourage others to do the same. Receiving the award is a great honour and the highlight of my career so far.
Q: What made you choose an apprenticeship over graduate entry into engineering?
DC: I had five university offers but when I found out about engineering apprenticeships, I realised it was the path that best suited me. My parents thought I would have better career prospects if I went to university, but I explained that an apprenticeship combined the benefits of studying for a degree, earning a salary, developing skills and starting my career sooner.
Q: Tell us a bit about your apprenticeship at JCB
DC: My role is a Design Engineer for JCB Compact Products. During my Higher Apprenticeship, I’ve had a fantastic opportunity to extend my skills in a range of areas.
I have a Foundation Degree in Integrated Engineering and an NVQ Level 4 Extended Diploma in Engineering Manufacture. I am currently studying for my BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at Sheffield Hallam University and working towards professional registration with the Institution as an Engineering Technician.
Q: How do you work to raise the profile of engineering?
DC: I represent JCB as an ambassador for STEM subjects and I enjoy giving a careers talk each year at my former school. As a result of taking part in ‘Get In Go Far’, the government’s national media campaign for apprenticeships, I was invited to Westminster, where I discussed the future of apprenticeships and shared my own experiences with MPs.
In January I co-hosted the National Apprenticeship Awards. It was a great opportunity, which came about after I had represented JCB at the UK Skills Show, and spent some time engaging with students on the National Apprenticeship Service stand. It was nerve-wracking but exciting experience, and thankfully there was a lot of support there from JCB colleagues.
Q: What advice would you give to someone on the first day of their apprenticeship?
DC: Take up as many opportunities as you can – say yes whenever you’re given the option to broaden your learning. Taking part in outreach events or volunteering to lead groups or projects helps develop confidence, presentation, communication and team skills, opening up another environment away from the work or study bubble.
Q: Your award includes prize money – how do you plan to spend it?
DC: I aim to devise a ‘STEM-in-a-box’ style package. It will educate students in developing countries about the engineering behind a project, which they will then be able to use to improve their life on a day-to-day basis. The idea is to impart some engineering principles, enable beneficial 'real life' engineering and hopefully inspire students to pursue engineering in the future. I had great opportunities at school from a young age that engaged me in STEM subjects, so I would love to be able to help others have similar experiences.
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