Technical Supervisor for Mech Eng Labs.<\/p>\n
I started as an apprentice at the University in September 2000.<\/p>\n
Prior to working at the University, I spent three years working as a warehouse operative in Westbury and nearly two years working as a delivery driver for a pharmacy in Frome.<\/p>\n
During my apprenticeship, I spent some time in each area within the department. A large part of this was based in the Manufacturing lab. I spent a fair amount of time on lab sessions, becoming familiar with engineering applications such as injection moulding, vacuum forming, press forging and CNC machining. I also supported research and student projects during this period and gained broader experience in machining, fitting and fabricating. On completion of my apprenticeship, I spent around a year working in the composites department, before returning to Manufacturing. I also later spent some time in Materials Testing, looking at CT scanning and tensile testing, amongst other things. My primary interest, however, was in CNC machining and I returned to the Manufacturing lab to continue in the role as Senior Technician, before starting my current role in April of last year.<\/p>\n
Although my path at the University seemed to take me backwards and forwards a bit, this provided me with interesting new experiences, so I don\u2019t regret this path. I also feel that moving around the department during my apprenticeship gave me a good basis on which to build, having completed my training. Having a degree of knowledge in many of the different areas I now oversee has been beneficial in my new role. Having said that, I am still learning all the time!<\/p>\n
The experience of other technicians in the department was undoubtedly the most useful resource available to me, during my apprenticeship. I had several individual training courses for various machine tools that I have used. These courses have been helpful. It is always important to back up this learning with regular use of the machines, where possible. I also made use of quite a few of the available staff development courses<\/a> over the years, which I would certainly recommend doing, where relevant.<\/p>\nWhat next?<\/h1>\n