Chloe Harris - Third Year Construction Apprentice
Finning UK and Ireland third year apprentice, Chloe Harris, talks about her experience of the Finning apprenticeship scheme.
What made you choose to pursue a career in engineering?
I chose engineering because I have always been hands on and like a challenge. I think engineering is a perfect career because there are so many different aspects to explore that people may not even know exist.
Why did you choose to apply to complete the Finning Apprenticeship?
I believe Finning has a first class scheme for young people. Finning offer lots of opportunities both during and after the apprenticeship. It also provides you with many opportunities to develop your own skills and knowledge.
What are you enjoying the most about your apprenticeship?
I enjoy getting to know, and working alongside the engineers and learning new things.
What are you finding the most challenging about your apprenticeship?
The most challenging part of the apprenticeship is that there are so many different things to learn all at once.
What do you hope to do once you have completed your apprenticeship programme?
When I finish my apprenticeship programme I wish to continue working at Finning as an engineer and eventually progressing through the ranks.
What advice would you give to anyone considering applying for an apprenticeship programme at Finning?
I would advise them to look at all the different aspects of the business and look into what the different job roles entail to ensure they will suit the role.
As a female apprentice, how would you encourage more females to apply for an engineering apprenticeship programme?
I think there is a desperate need for more females in the engineering world. Any female will have to have no problem with hard work and getting a bit dirty. There are great opportunities for women at Finning. It's not as daunting working in engineering as people think.
On reflection, what did you think of the recruitment process before you started your apprenticeship?
Overall the recruitment process is quite long. However, the different elements, for example work experience, was a great part of the process as it allowed Finning to see you and get an understanding of how you work. At the same time it was great to get a feel for what the job actually entails and what the work place is like.
What would you say about the support you are given as an apprentice?
The support in both the workshop with the engineers and in the academy with the trainers is outstanding. Everyone is happy to help and explain anything you may not understand. It is so easy to learn things when you feel comfortable asking questions without feeling stupid. You are here to learn and that is exactly what happens. Before I started I knew very little about engines but after being here for as little as 3 months I already felt like my knowledge had increased massively.