Top marks for Dstl’s engineering apprentices
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp first cohort of scientists to work as Dstl apprentices while studying for a degree have all graduated â€� with first class bachelors in engineering (BEng).
All 3 received top marks for the qualification attained during 4 years while they earned money, gained experience and progressed on their career paths.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp trio are now working in cyber for the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) â€� 2 are based in Salisbury and 1 has just started a secondment in the US.
Team Leader Chris said:
We are all extremely proud to see our apprentices receive outstanding degrees which are testament to their hard work, dedication and passion for science.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy are rolling off the apprenticeships and they are world class. We want to make sure we keep them. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy are fantastic.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy have set the bar extremely high for those currently doing their degrees and shown that you don’t have to choose between a top degree and an apprenticeship.
We support our apprentices both in terms career development and academic achievement. It’s win win.
»Ê¹ÚÌåÓýapp group studied on a 6-week block release at Aston University in Birmingham when COVID-19 rules allowed. »Ê¹ÚÌåÓýappy studied Embedded Electronics Systems Design and Development degrees.
George said:
I was sceptical about paying an enormous amount of money to go to university and this was a chance to learn on the job, embed myself in a career and get a really good qualification
I think it works really well doing an apprenticeship and a degree as you get to apply what you are learning and that keeps you enthusiastic and improves your academic performance.
I would highly recommend the Dstl apprenticeship scheme and advise anyone on it to make the most of it � it is a fantastic opportunity.
He went on to say he was allowed time to study at work and found advice from people in the same field invaluable.
Josh said:
When I was looking at jobs before the course and I used to joke ‘how are you supposed to be a fresh graduate and have 3 years of work experience?� Now I have 4 years.
I had the choice of going to university full-time or doing this apprenticeship and I think I definitely made the right decision and don’t feel I’ve missed out on much - maybe I’ve sacrificed Freshers� Week for a 4-year head start in my career.
One of the best things about doing an apprenticeship with Dstl is the support they give you. We were given a reasonable period of time for our studies while people we knew elsewhere had to work every weekend to find the time.