What's your job title?
Trainee Engineering Technician.
What is your educational background?
I have 9 GCSE's, and have completed an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in Engineering Maintenance, also completing a Higher National Certificate in Mechatronics.
What were you doing previously?
I was attending school.
How did you get into this industry?
Since I was at school I have always been interested in the water industry, and the work they undertake, I attended a work experience week at Bristol Water at the age of 15 and really enjoyed the experience I gained and felt I would like to fulfil a working position within Bristol Water.
What training/qualifications have you done with your job?
I have an NVQ level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations, and an NVQ level 3 in Engineering Maintenance, a BTEC first diploma in Manufacturing Engineering, a National Certificate in Operations and Maintenance, a Higher National Certificate in Mechatronics, also many in house training activities such as a Competent Operator Framework course, High Voltage switching course, many health and safety courses such as Confined Spaces course, Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health course, Breathing Apparatus training.
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
On a day to day basis I maintain, fault find and rectify problems that can occur with our items of plant and equipment, also optimising the way in which these items of plant and equipment run to improve their efficiency on day to day running.
What are your main responsibilities?
I am responsible for the maintenance of all mechanical, electrical and specific Instrumentation items of plant within the whole company area.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
The freedom to be able to plan your own work load, working on many different sites, tackling a ranging variety of faults, such as mechanical, electrical and instrumentation.
What do you like least?
As Bristol Water operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, we have to perform a standby cover, and this is the only dislike I have to the job.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to work in this industry?
Preparation and commitment is vital within this industry, it is a 24 hours a day 7 days a week operation.
What do you like doing in your spare time/ do you have any hobbies?
In my spare time I play football at a semi-professional level, attend the gym and socialise with my mates.
