Dylan Burns (19), from Lisburn, did his GCSEs at St Partrick’s Academy in Lisburn before coming to SERC to complete a Level 2 Traineeship in Engineering. The young man has now progressed to an apprenticeship and is delighted with his chosen pathway.
Dylan said, “I have always enjoyed engineering and doing hands-on practical work, so it made sense for me to take this route. I did consider A-Levels but am glad that I moved on to college – it was the best outcome for me personally.” He continued, “For the Level 2 Traineeship, I was on placement with Advanced Engineering just outside Lisburn and was there for 2 days a week and in college for 3 days. They make tools and moulds for industry – I was mostly involved in making gear parts for shipping. I found the Traineeship was a very good foundation for my progression.”
Dylan has since progressed to the Level 3 Apprenticeship NI in Mechatronic Engineering (Electrical/Mechanical). He said, “It was a very smooth transition from the Level 2 Traineeship to the Level 3 Apprenticeship, and I am now employed by Maha Ireland in their Lisburn premises where I am based for four days a week, and then in college one day. Maha Ireland provides and fixes equipment for the Driver & Vehicle Agency, so they maintain all the equipment used in vehicle testing centres. In my role as an apprentice, I am usually out and about helping one of the Engineers with different jobs at these centres. There are some jobs I can do on my own, such as engraving numbers on hand lamps or programming air pressure sensors. Your skills are developing all the time so I know as I progress, I will get the opportunity to handle different jobs by myself. You are learning all the time.
“I am really enjoying the apprenticeship and hoping to move forward with my employer and to build a career with them. I enjoy the mix of college and being at work and can apply what I am learning as I move forward. The workshops in college are well equipped, and you have access to a lot of resources online to help with the theory and learning.
“The tutors are great, and because the classes are smaller, it is easier to get that one-to-one support if you need something clarified or explained a bit more.”
Dylan concluded, “College is different from school, but it didn’t take me too long to settle in. You meet a lot of like-minded people on the course, as they have chosen engineering as their pathway.”
Applications for full-time courses are now open online. Come along to our Full-time Open Evening, 4pm - 7pm on Thursday 5 March, at Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses. Real Learning for Real Life #BetterOffAtSERC.
