“Apprenticeship programs are always perceived as for those who do not get good grades. It’s NOT true”.
“My biggest satisfaction comes from the progress I’ve made and the self-confidence that I’ve grown. From being told what to do to now being consulted for advice, I feel really pleased.”
Rachel Wilson, Fire Suppression Design Engineer
From being told what to do, to offering advice
Rachel is a soft-spoken, composed, and young Fire Suppression Design Engineer at the age of 22. We’re glad to have a chance to hear her career story.
Rachel loved physics from an early age, but she was not a fan of traditional further learning options such as college. Five years ago, after she left school, she decided to have a go with an apprenticeship.
Why Johnson Controls?
She still remembers while looking for opportunities, she googled “engineering apprenticeship”. Several apprentice programmes came up and the Johnson Controls fire suppression apprenticeship was one of them.
Our fire suppression apprentice programme, which trains apprentices to design the system of sprinklers, smoke alarms and other fire suppression devices immediately caught her eye because she knew she could put her numeric brain to use.
What's the best part?
"An apprenticeship enables me to gain work experience and get paid to obtain qualifications at the same time. It helped me jumpstart my career journey with years of hands-on industry experience."
In the first year of our apprentice programme, Rachel received on-the-job training and an opportunity to attend college to obtain the qualifications she needed. In the second and third year, she undertook the Higher National Certificate (HNC), and graduated with distinctions.
To date, Rachel has started her full-time role as Fire Suppression Design Engineer, having been in this role for about a year. Her role is to design sprinkler systems to keep a fire under control in case of a breakout. The projects that she worked on include restaurants, stadiums, high-rise office buildings and warehouses. When asked about the first time she visited the site seeing her design turned into a reality, she said her reaction was “Oh, my design works!”.
Now looking back at her Johnson Controls journey, she still thinks it’s a good decision and would definitely recommend it to others.
“I’m paid to get qualifications equivalent to A-level. Unlike some of those who went to Universities, I don’t own any student debt. I feel like I'm ahead of university graduates because I jump-started my career with both qualifications and hands-on experience.”
Is gender an issue?
We don’t often see many female engineers in the Fire industry. Does being a female ever bring Rachel any uncomfortable experience? “My gender is never an issue. My gender does not bother me even on site. I feel safe. Co-workers are polite and make me feel welcome.
Looking back at all the hard work in the past years, Rachel feels accomplished. “My biggest satisfaction is seeing how I’ve progressed and how my confidence and independence have grown. From being told what to do to now being consulted for advice, I’m happy with the progress I’ve made.”
What’s your advice?
As a graduate apprentice, Rachel offers these tips to prospective apprentices:
“Apprenticeships are suitable for anyone who has left school. Apprentice programmes are available in different fields and start at different levels; there’s always something for most people. Don’t assume you know everything about apprenticeship. Pick your interest and apply. You’d be surprised by the opportunities you can get. No harm to try.”
