Jade Aspinall is a third-year Advanced Engineering Apprentice at MBDA Missile Systems in Lostock, Bolton. At the awards ceremony, which took place in February, she said how delighted she was to have been recognised in this way:
“I am really overwhelmed to win these awards, especially as I was up against some fantastic entries, from all walks of engineering, who were tough competition. It was a superb evening and really inspirational to see all the great achievements made by the other entrants who were there. It is really motivating to know that young engineers are getting recognised nationally and that women in engineering are really taking off. I hope to be able to use these two trophies to champion engineering and encourage more women to get involved.”
Gareth Humphreys MBE, Programme Manager at MBDA, is instrumental in the company’s development of apprentices; he champions connections between industry and local education, and is very supportive of professional registration with the Institution. It is not the first time that MBDA has produced award-winning apprentices, and Gareth summed up the company’s sentiments about Jade and her success:
“Jade’s fantastic achievement continues to maintain our pride in the quality of the MBDA apprentice cohort, and is even more remarkable given the level of determination she has needed to apply, continually, in the pursuit of a career in engineering and manufacturing. We are proud that Jade, and one her fellow apprentices, Samantha Ball, were both recognised as finalists in such a prestigious National award. To come out on top of such incredibly talented competition, from illuminated names within the UK engineering and manufacturing sector, means we can truly claim that Lostock has not only ‘The Best of British’ but also ‘The Best of the Best’. Well done to both and keep going – it can only bode well for all of our futures!”
Ann Watson, chief operating officer of Semta said:
“Jade is truly inspirational and the judges were unanimous in presenting her with the overall award, as well as being the category winner. She is a model apprentice – someone who earns while they learn, makes a significant contribution to the business and acts as a role model for others. She is the perfect ambassador for young women in engineering.”
Jade is keen to explain to young people what a great job engineering can be, and how rewarding she finds her apprenticeship.
“I’ve been involved in numerous events promoting engineering to young people, employers, parents and Members of Parliament. I’ve given promotional and motivational speeches at numerous events such as, UK Skills: Engineering your Future Career; The Manufacturers Workforce Development; Big Bang; and various conferences and school assemblies. I have spoken directly with figures such as Peter Luff MP, Julie Hilling MP and Secretary of State Vince Cable MP on the importance of women engineers and promoting engineering to young people, teachers and parents.”
“I believe targeting schools and parents is the way to attract new people. Whenever MBDA goes to a career event we take equal numbers of young women and men apprentices. This makes a great impact, as there is no one better to talk about engineering to young people than young engineers themselves.”
“This is something I am very passionate about. My parents had never worked in industry and didn’t understand how high tech, clinical and diverse engineering can be. It wasn’t until I started my engineering apprenticeship that they realised what a great career I have and how many opportunities it gives me for the future.”
Jade really enjoyed maths and electronics at school, which persuaded her to complete A Levels in both subjects; and she wanted a career that required her to use her strengths. She was encouraged to apply to MBDA by her electronics teacher. She sums up what it means, to her, to have become an engineer through the apprentice route, with MBDA:
“Working with the high-tech facilities at MBDA, I am able to increase my knowledge and skills set, using advancements in technology, gaining experience in the working world as well as achieving all the qualifications I need to be technically successful with the company. Having the ability to earn whilst I learn was the best option for me to take after college, as I have the opportunity to achieve university-standard qualifications as well as gain all the experience I need in industry.”
Jade values her membership of the Institution; she will be completing her HND in Mechanical Engineering next year and, with the support of her company, is focused on further professional registration. She appreciates the benefits that being a member offers, such as attending events and conferences, through which she can gain knowledge and support. She says:
“I’ve been involved in various projects through the Institution and related organisations, such as Primary Engineer, Bloodhound and STEMNET. I was also invited to speak at the Engineering Your Future careers event last year, which was a great opportunity. MBDA has strong links with the Institution, and the company is always keen to get many of us involved in such events.
Her working week is a busy and varied one; currently Jade is just over half-way through her apprenticeship, and has recently begun a test-engineering placement, learning a new range of skills and techniques from scratch, which she finds interesting and exciting.
“My typical day, at the moment, consists of Test Equipment Investigation, Missile Test and Diagnostics and Electronics Interface Design using Multisim/Ultiboard.”
“I work three-and-a-half days a week and attend college for one day. In my time as an apprentice I will move across a range of placements throughout the company, from mechanical fitting on the shop floor, to design engineering, to a business and project management placement. Each placement has a set of objectives that I must meet before I can move on to the next. This ensures that I gain a wide range of skills throughout my time as an apprentice.”
Jade has, so far, worked in just over half the departments available during her apprenticeship. Test engineering, however, is possibly her favourite:
“Test engineering appeals because I like having the opportunity to use maths whilst I work. Also, the manufacturing engineering placement stands out, because I feel I really developed a lot during that experience. Overall, I would like to progress in the company, and one day become a principle engineer in charge of a team of people.”