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Liam and Callum

Quality Inspector Apprentice and Precision Machining Apprentice

How long have you worked at AWE?     

We joined the AWE apprenticeship scheme in September 2018

What made you choose an apprenticeship?       

We both looked at various options such as university as well as apprenticeships and came to the conclusion that an apprenticeship would be the best route. We recognised that apprenticeships had advantages over other options as they incorporate both learning and workplace experience. Being in a workplace environment allows you to gain experience and prepare for a full-time career. Also the training and education provides extra knowledge and understanding which is an advantage over going straight in to full-time employment.

Why did you choose AWE?

We decided to choose an AWE apprenticeship as it offers many qualifications compared to other options. The apprenticeship has been running for a long time and has been recognised as a top apprenticeship by the national apprenticeship awards. Also we believe AWE is a unique and interesting place to work, and provides many opportunities which allows for further career progression after the apprenticeship has finished.

Tell us about your time at AWE?

Most of our time at work is spent in the workshop based in the Skills Academy, where we make components using various machines. The main machines we work on include lathes, vertical and horizontal milling machines as well as turret mills. Creating components on the machines allows us to learn and develop our skills for our specific trades.  The remainder of our time is spent doing theory-based work, this allows us to gain the technical knowledge which we can apply when doing practical work.  We both enjoy the practical side of our work, however we recognise the importance of the theory element.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about our job is that we have the opportunity to learn something new every day whether it be about our trade or about the company itself.

How do you see your career progressing?           

Once the apprenticeship is completed we would like to gain more experience within our trades, then progress higher up within the company possibly into managerial positions or more technical roles, these could both be aided by further qualifications such as degrees.

What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship?         

Find an apprenticeship based around something you’re interested and enthusiastic about. There are many apprenticeships available in different sectors, providing a wide range of opportunities. The main thing is to find an apprenticeship in a role that you would like to develop a career in.

Latest news

Latest News

Celebrating Ada Lovelace – the worlds’ first computer programmer 

Last week, in Ada Lovelace’s honour, a passionate team from AWE welcomed around 70 enthusiastic Year 6 students and their teachers to a STEM event to celebrate science, creativity and resilience.   In the early 19th century, long before the digital age, Ada Lovelace laid the groundwork for modern computing. Born in 1815, Ada was fascinated by mathematics […]

Press Releases

Office for Nuclear Regulation investigation findings

Today, the Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) announced its investigation findings following the fatality of a Balfour Beatty employee in 2023, who was working in a construction enclave on AWE’s Aldermaston site.

A commemorative display in a grand room with marble columns and historic portraits, showcasing AWE's 75-year timeline of nuclear security technologies from the 1940s to the present, under the slogan 'Proud of our past. Prepared for the future.'

Latest News

75 Years of AWE: A landmark innovation showcase

On 16 October, AWE marked a major milestone in its history with the ‘AWE75: Proud of our past. Prepared for our future.’ event at the Institution of Civil Engineers, London. The event saw over 100 guests from across government, academia and the defence community gather to commemorate AWE’s legacy and look ahead to our future.

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