Local Engineering Student Secures Competitive Apprenticeship with Northumbrian Water

Sarah Turner, a 17-year-old engineering student from Whitley Bay, has achieved significant success by securing a competitive apprenticeship with Northumbrian Water. Turner, who is currently completing her Advanced Manufacturing Engineering qualification at Northumberland Skills' Energy Central Learning Hub, applied for the apprenticeship opportunity with encouragement from her lecturer, Paul Cottiss. Following a rigorous shortlisting and interview process, Turner was successfully selected for the role, demonstrating her hard work, commitment, and outstanding potential. In her new role, Turner will work alongside experienced technicians to carry out maintenance tasks, gaining hands-on experience with various equipment and machinery.

Key Takeaways:

• Sarah Turner, a 17-year-old engineering student, secured a competitive apprenticeship with Northumbrian Water after completing her Advanced Manufacturing Engineering qualification at Northumberland Skills.
• Turner's achievement reflects her hard work, commitment, and outstanding potential, which impressed the panel during the recruitment process.
• In her new role, Turner will work across various sites in Tyneside and Northumberland, gaining hands-on experience with motor control centres, programmable logic controllers, instrumentation, telemetry systems, and pressure, level, and flow monitoring equipment.
• Turner will work towards a Level 3 Diploma through a modern apprenticeship, with the opportunity to progress to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and gain professional registration with the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
• Turner cited her experience at Northumberland Skills as a key factor in her success, stating that she learned practical skills and gained confidence in a real-world, industry-aligned environment.
• Northumberland Skills' Energy Central Learning Hub, where Turner studied, offers a unique learning environment supported by experienced lecturers and purpose-built training rigs designed in partnership with industry experts.

Statistics:

• 17-year-old Sarah Turner secured a competitive apprenticeship with Northumbrian Water upon completing her Advanced Manufacturing Engineering qualification at Northumberland Skills.
• Turner's apprenticeship will last for a period of time, with the opportunity to progress to a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and gain professional registration with the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
• Turner will work towards a Level 3 Diploma through a modern apprenticeship, with the opportunity to gain professional registration with the Institute of Engineering Technology (IET).
• Northumberland Skills' Energy Central Learning Hub has hosted several free taster events for school leavers interested in a high-growth, high-potential career in renewable engineering or advanced manufacturing.

Sources:

• "A talented local engineering student is celebrating success after securing a competitive apprenticeship with Northumbrian Water." - Northumberland County Council, UK Government news release.
• "It is great to have Sarah onboard as part of our apprentice scheme at Northumbrian Water." - Gary Ferguson, Regional Maintenance Manager, Northumbrian Water.
• "I've always wanted to work in engineering, and studying at Northumberland Skills gave me the chance to develop both my technical knowledge and my confidence." - Sarah Turner.
• "We're so proud of Sarah. This is exactly what we aim for - combining Sarah's own hard work and natural talent with our focus on delivering work-ready skills, attitudes, and behaviours that employers value." - Paul Cottiss, Northumberland Skills' Advanced Manufacturing Engineering curriculum lead.