E
S
IS FOR
TEM. If you enjoy certain subjects, this is a word you will have heard mentioned a lot.
Maybe when you’ re choosing your GCSE options, thinking about college or choosing a university course. And if you’ re a bit older,‘ STEM careers’ is probably something you’ ve heard a fair bit about too.
Engineering as a discipline has loads of opportunities and roles for all types of people, regardless of age, gender and background. Engineers, operators, lab technicians, planners. The list goes on.
So, here’ s your unofficial guide to careers pathways courtesy of CF Fertilisers. They’ re one of the region’ s longest-standing employers and really know their stuff.
Still learning – former apprentice Alisha Massey continues her learning journey with CF ' s backing.
12
ENGINEERING
Thriving at CF Fertilisers- mechanical apprentice Matthew Maloney, electrical apprentice Ellea Metcalfe, maintenance supervisor Andy Clay and instrumentation apprentice Alfie Davidson.
CAREER PATHWAYS
16 + APPRENTICESHIP
Thinking about college rather than staying at school? This‘ earn while you learn’ option could be for you.
Ellea, 18, who is studying an electrical apprenticeship with Middlesbrough College, says:
“ I chose an apprenticeship with CF because I wanted to develop my technical knowledge and turn my long-standing interest in engineering into a real career.
“ I have been fascinated by how things work and why from a young age, so an apprenticeship felt like the perfect opportunity to explore that passion further.”
APPRENTICESHIP – DONE. JOB OFFER FROM CF – YES, PLEASE!
Louis, 19, an electrical technician, says:
“ My technical knowledge, skills and understanding continue to grow and there are plenty of opportunities to develop personally and professionally at CF.”
18 +
INDUSTRIAL PLACEMENT STUDENT
Wanting to build your portfolio before or finishing uni? Approaching an employer could unlock the perfect opportunity for you.
Harry, 20, an instrumentation and control engineering student at Teesside University, says:
“ This is an incredible opportunity to put what I’ ve learnt in my degree so far into practise in a real engineering environment, with a business that plays such an important role in the area where I grew up.”
ONGOING CPD
HNC
Continuing Professional Development, or CDP, is how you keep learning and adding more qualifications to your CV. CF encourages and supports its ex-apprentices to keep studying with an HNC.
Mechanical technician Alisha, 20, says:
“ I’ m doing an HNC in Mechanical Engineering at TTE and CF have backed me every step of the way.
“ What I’ m learning is already paying off: it’ s given me a much stronger grasp of the fundamental principles behind the mechanical work I do day-to-day, so I’ m not just carrying out tasks, I understand why they work.”