Meet The Apprentice Emily is a 4th year Fabrication & Welding apprentice working in the very busy Prototype department at Leyland Trucks. Recently winning Leyland Trucks’ ‘Apprentice of the Year Award 2021,’ Preston College’s ‘Above and Beyond Award’ in our Exceptional Employer & Apprentice Awards 2022 and shortlisted to win the BIBAS’ ‘Apprentice of the Year Awards’, Emily is proving to be a force to be reckoned with and well on her way to potentially becoming Leyland Trucks’ very first female Manufacturing Engineer. Speaking to her employer they have nothing but incredible words for their pioneering apprentice, particularly as she had to overcome a traumatic start to her apprenticeship. “Emily lost her mentor 12 months ago, who unfortunately passed away from Covid. This was a huge personal and professional loss for Emily and required to her to take over a much more significant role within the workshop at short notice. “She showed incredible resilience in the face of adversity,” they tell us, “and stepped up to ensure the smooth running of the department. Her attitude and behaviour personified what her mentor taught her, particularly with regards to teamwork and consistency.” They tell us that Emily is trusted implicitly and is trusted by managers to go out and spec/cost jobs within the business as her skill set is so developed. “She is also a mentor to other apprentices, particularly two other female apprentices that are new to the department. She has provided advice and support to college colleagues, the workshop, and how to navigate the world of work. Specifically, she recently provided support to an apprentice who had some serious and sensitive concerns.” We are told that Emily provides mature advice and direction which results in the issue being dealt with tactfully and having a positive outcome. She also volunteers to be part of the apprentice buddy scheme to help the new intake each year embed themselves in the business, provide advice, support and is a friendly face, particularly in those first few weeks. What’s more, Emily has supported the ‘Women in Engineering’ activities they have run on many occasions. This has included taking part in discussions around engineering careers to the girls from local high schools and promoting this pathway to them. More recently Emily took part in a corporate video for the PACCAR Women’s Association displaying the value of women within the business with a one liner to display their strength. Emily quite aptly had the phrase ‘I am limitless.’ They go on to say, “Her workmanship is second to none and she performs to a consistently high standard. She has performed really well academically and has never required a prompt to complete her work, even finishing ahead of time compared to other apprentices within her year group. She has developed a comprehensive portfolio of work, far beyond anything required for evidence in her apprenticeship, with a view to sharing this learning with anyone who may need to use it as a reference when carrying out specific tasks. “She is a polite, intelligent young lady who approaches people respectively and provides knowledgeable suggestions to her colleagues. She will have a go at any job she is given and shows a positive attitude in her work. “Emily is always willing to promote the business to aspiring apprentices and takes an active role in both company presentations and the ‘women in engineering’ work that Leyland Trucks undertake. “We are very proud to have Emily within the business and are confident that she will go on to be a great success and have a long and successful career with us.” Well Done Emily! 20
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