Hi, I’m Emily and I’m an Apprentice Mechanical Fitter at our Devonport Site.
When I finished school, I completed my A Levels and then spent some time working in hospitality. While I enjoyed aspects of the job, I found the unpredictability, late nights and constant customer-facing work weren’t what I wanted long term. I was looking for a career with more stability, clear progression and the opportunity to develop valuable skills.
Engineering had always interested me. At school, I particularly enjoyed maths and physics, but after leaving education I moved in a different direction for a while. Eventually, I realised I wanted to return to something more technical and hands-on, and an apprenticeship seemed like the perfect way to do that.
Originally from Gloucester, I moved to Plymouth to attend university. Although university wasn’t the right path for me, I enjoyed living in the city and decided to stay. When I started looking for my next opportunity, I focused on apprenticeships because I wanted to gain practical experience while continuing to learn. Babcock stood out straight away, and I haven’t looked back since.
Building a career in engineering
I’m currently in the fourth year of my Level 3 Mechanical Fitter apprenticeship. Over the course of the programme, I’ve completed six different placements, giving me experience in a variety of teams, projects and working environments.
Most of my time has been spent working on Royal Navy vessels, which has given me a fantastic insight into the scale and complexity of the work we do.
This apprenticeship has allowed me to explore different areas of the business, work alongside experienced people and develop a broad range of skills. Every placement offers something different, which keeps the role interesting and helps you discover where your strengths and interests lie.
Working on submarines
As Mechanical Fitters, we’re heavily involved in the refit and maintenance of submarines.
The submarine I’m currently working on is undergoing a deep maintenance period, which means we’re carrying out a complete refit over several years.
It’s rewarding to play a part in such a significant programme of work. Every task contributes to maintaining these complex vessels and ensuring they’re fit for purpose when they return to service.
Learning through experience
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most about my apprenticeship is the variety.
Working across different placements has exposed me to a wide range of projects and teams. I’ve had the chance to meet lots of people, learn different ways of working and gain experience. No two placements are the same.
I also enjoy the practical side of the role. There’s a real sense of achievement in working with tools, dismantling equipment, understanding how systems operate and then putting everything back together correctly. The work is hands-on, challenging and genuinely interesting.
The skills I’ve learned don’t just stay at work either. The apprenticeship has made me much more practical and confident when it comes to using tools and understanding how things work.
Support throughout the apprenticeship
The support available throughout the apprenticeship is excellent.
We have dedicated Apprentice Advisors who help organise our placements, provide guidance and are always available if we have questions or need support. Alongside that, we work with assessors who help us complete the coursework and assessments required as part of the programme.
Regular reviews throughout the year help keep us on track and provide opportunities to discuss development and future goals. It’s a very well-supported environment, and there’s always someone available to help you succeed.
A proud achievement
One of the highlights so far was receiving Apprentice of the Year during my first year, alongside Mechanical Apprentice of the Year and an Excellence Award.
Receiving that recognition was a proud moment and gave me confidence that I was on the right path. It was a great way to start my apprenticeship journey and motivated me to continue developing my skills and knowledge.
Looking ahead
When I complete my apprenticeship, I’d like to continue working as a Mechanical Fitter to build even more experience on the tools.
Longer term, I’m interested in progressing into roles such as Chargehand or First Line Manager, and I’m also considering opportunities within commissioning. One of the great things about Babcock is that there are lots of different career paths available, so there are plenty of opportunities to continue developing and progressing in the future.
For anyone considering an apprenticeship, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a fantastic way to gain real-world experience, develop valuable skills and build a rewarding career while learning from experienced professionals every day.