Institution news
Imran Lulat has spent the last five years training to be an automotive body engineer at Jaguar Land Rover. With one year left until he qualifies, the young engineer is already making waves in the industry.
Imran devised one of the first parametric CAD models capable of advanced optimisation and kinematics for body engineering after spending two months modelling a windscreen wiper mechanism.
“That gave me a strong technical foundation as an engineer,” he says. “As a design engineer you are involved in the entire process of designing the component, and that experience has definitely helped build the skills I will need to be successful later on in my career.”
But Imran is not content with just developing his own engineering skills, he is also working as a mentor for other young apprentices just starting out on their engineering journey, something he says has also benefitted his own soft skills.
“As a mentor I am responsible for supporting the apprentices’ learning programmes, but it will also be useful for my future career as well,” he says. “Not only did I learn to bring the best out of people, but it has also been my first opportunity of being in a leadership role, and that has been a great learning experience.
“It has helped my technical understanding, because in order to teach you have to have a solid understanding of the topic, and it has also taught me vital people skills.”
It is this solid foundation of engineering expertise and commitment to promoting the industry that has helped Imran achieve the success he has. He says being named Apprentice of the Year will help him as he moves on to the next stage of his career.
“Winning this award and being recognised by such an influential organisation as the IMechE has given me the professional recognition as an engineer within my field that will be incredibly valuable as I progress through my career. I will be completing my apprenticeship in August 2019, and after that I will become a Lead Engineer responsible for the design and delivery of a new bumper system.
“In my role as a STEM ambassador I also visit schools and teach students about engineering and manufacturing techniques through interactive sessions, and winning this award will also give me greater credibility to work as a mentor and promote the industry to young people.”
And Lulat believes engineering is an excellent career choice for any young person, as long as they have the commitment and work ethic needed to be successful.
“I firmly believe anyone with a strong work ethic who is determined and willing to apply themselves can become an engineer, or anything else they want to be,” he says. “I believe you should follow your dreams and pursue something you have a passion for – it is that passion that will drive you in succeeding at whatever it is you want to do.
“For me, the best thing about engineering is that you’re in a position to direct change, improve lives and make dreams a reality.”