Cady needed a change in education after completing her GCSEs, as she realised school was not for her. Cady was encouraged by her family to go down the apprenticeship route, as her favourite subjects in school involved technology, design and the practical work involved with them. Many of Cady’s family had also completed SERC courses in the past and recommended the college to her, based on their positive experiences. After doing research online and attending a SERC Open Evening, Cady decided an engineering apprenticeship through SERC would be her next step, especially as the college’s Lisburn campus was local to her.
On her course, Cady comments: “I really like going to work as an apprentice – I enjoy it even more than I thought I would. I like being able to go out and work most of the week and then come into SERC once a week to help get my qualifications, which will help me further myself in my work.
“My apprenticeship takes places at Kane Engineering, based in Newtownards, where I am an electrical apprentice. I mainly make industrial sized panels, cut cables, handle wiring, and put copper busbars into the panels I make. My team lead takes me through everything I need to do, and I learn by practicing doing the task onsite. It’s all really fun and I enjoy doing it a lot. I love my apprenticeship, being able to get paid while I work is amazing and it means I don’t have to sit in a classroom all day, which definitely isn’t for me. I’d much rather learn practically.”
“While on campus, the support at SERC is great, not just in the classroom, but outside of it too. I have dyslexia and was able to get a lot of help from SERC’s Learning Support team, which helps me do my work to the best quality I can.”
On what she wants to do after her course, Cady comments: “I want to continue working in electrical engineering. I really like doing the work as part of my current apprenticeship, so I’ll stick to this sector and keep studying as well to help me advance my career within the industry.”
Cady concludes: “I would really recommend SERC to those thinking about doing this course; I would say to anyone to just do it! The lecturers are so nice and always answer any questions you have. Our classroom is great too – it may look like a school setting but it’s a much more mature environment, you are treated like an adult. I really enjoy studying here.”
