Caitlin Fulfils Engineering Dream Thanks to Apprenticeship
Caitlin Thompson always aspired to pursue a career in Engineering and found the ideal route through an Apprenticeship with BT and Stoke on Trent College. She began her studies at the College in 2019, choosing the Apprenticeship pathway over university in order to gain hands-on experience alongside industry-recognised qualifications.
Since completing her Level 3 Maintenance Operational Electrical Technician Apprenticeship—which covered both mechanical and electrical disciplines—Caitlin has progressed steadily in her career. She now works as a Power Trainer at BT, overseeing the training of employees and Apprentices across the organisation.
“I always said I wanted an Apprenticeship, and found the course at BT to be the best way for me to achieve my Level 3 qualification,” Caitlin said. “I wanted to be an Engineer from an early age and wasn’t too concerned about which area of Engineering I went into.”
After qualifying, Caitlin joined BT’s Engineering Team and later transitioned into her current role, where she supports Level 4 Lead Engineering Apprentices both on-site and during their classroom-based sessions at the College.
“I started delivering training to other BT employees and Apprentices, and I’ve since moved into the Training Team. I organise all the sessions and really enjoy working with the new starters,” she explained.
As the only female on her course at the time, Caitlin has seen encouraging changes in the industry, with more women now pursuing Apprenticeships and careers in Engineering.
“It’s really important that we get more women into Engineering. I’ve found it to be a great environment to work in. I think some women don’t realise they can do this kind of job until they explore it as a career option,” she said.
The second cohort of Level 4 Lead Engineering Apprentices at BT have recently begun their first year and are already benefiting from new equipment, including a generator provided by BT, which enhances practical learning and links it to classroom theory.
“We’ve just had a generator brought in from BT, which will help the new Apprentices. It allows us to demonstrate how things work and connect theory to practical assessments,” Caitlin added.
She also praised the facilities at the College’s Technology Hub, which she believes offer a valuable learning experience.
“The Apprentices are going to get so much out of all the equipment available here, along with the range of Lecturers who will be teaching them throughout the course,” she said.
For aspiring female Engineers, Caitlin offered this advice: “Just go for it! I’d recommend applying—even if it is slightly outside your comfort zone, you’ll likely find a niche that suits you. Just remember, everyone in that class is in the same boat, and you will learn so much.”
Hassan Rizvi, Principal and CEO of Stoke on Trent College, expressed pride in Caitlin’s journey: “Caitlin is a prime example of how a learner can benefit from an Apprenticeship and pursue their chosen career path. As the largest provider of Apprenticeships in Stoke-on-Trent, we’re proud to collaborate with companies like BT and provide learners with outstanding opportunities to achieve their ambitions.”
