Tom is enrolled on a two year T-Level course in engineering: Design and Manufacturing at Preston College. He works one day a week at Air Filtration Solutions (AFS) while attending college for the remaining four days. He will complete a minimum of 315 hours with AFS. Tom and his line manager were invited to the T-Level workshop ‘Shaping the Future Engineering and Manufacturing Workforce’ in Manchester to give an insight into his journey and experience of T-Levels. Interviewed by our very own industry placement officer, Kirstie, here’s what Tom said: GET INVOLVED! If you would like any further information about T-Levels and how they can benefit your organisation, please contact our Industry Placement Coordinator Ikram Saiyed on 01772 225553 or email isaiyed@preston.ac.uk. 25 Meet Tom T-Level Learner At what age did you know you wanted to be an engineer? It was my grandad who inspired me from a young age as he was an engineer and I wanted to be just like him! How did you come across T-Levels and why did you choose it? I had seen some adverts about T-Levels but didn’t know much about them. When Preston College came to interview me for a college place while I was at school, the advisor told me all about the T-Level course and so I decided that I wanted to apply. What did your parent’s think? They encouraged me to enrol on the T-Level after discussing it with them as thought it was a good chance to gain industry experience. What was your first day on placement like? Everyone was really nice. My manager introduced me to everyone in the team and I felt welcomed. We did an induction so that I knew the basics and I was excited to go back! What does an average day look like to you? I work mostly with the design team, using CAD to design face masks. I recently designed a model that I then produced using the 3D printer. The face mask that I designed has just gone to manufacture. Has it helped your depth of subject knowledge? Definitely. There are that we have studied in college that I’ve then seen in action in the workplace and the same the other way around. Have you grown in confidence? Absolutely! I wouldn’t have stood up to speak at a conference at the start of my course, but look at me now – here I am! How has work helped you to prepare for your exams/assessment? I recently completed an employer-set project exam and one of the tasks related to something I had recently done at work so it really helped me. What do you bring to the workplace? I’m young and have fresh ideas and knowledge. I am also studying a lot to do with sustainability as part of my course so I am bringing current knowledge about a hot topic to the workplace. How has T-Level benefitted you? In lots of ways. I have grown in confidence and I am doing tasks at work that some apprentices would be doing at a much higher level. I’m even getting paid for my work placement now because my employer values my contribution. Where do you see yourself in 5/8 years? I’m not sure yet. I am really enjoying the design element of engineering so something related to that. I might be here with AFS or move on to BAE or working in nuclear engineering if the opportunity was there.
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