Chris Atherton is one of our engineering team leaders at Foundation House. He is in the 5th Year of his engineering degree apprenticeship, where he has worked in conjunction with MGF and Salford University.
Chris is a perfect example of a successful apprentice in a company with a large emphasis on professional development and upskilling. Chris started working with MGF before he began his apprenticeship, the company offered to invest in him, so that he could begin working towards a full engineering degree, through an apprenticeship scheme.
While working at MGF, Chris has earned a selection of qualifications to represent his skills in the civil engineering sector. These include becoming a Technician member, with the Institution of Civil Engineers and achieving a BSc (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering.
This year, Chris has been shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year as part of the North West Apprenticeship Awards, due to his impressive progress within MGF and his degree. This is a testament to his development as a degree apprentice over the past 5 years.
To celebrate Chris’ achievement, as well as National Apprenticeship Week, we asked him a few questions surrounding his experience as an MGF apprentice, here is what he had to say.
What attracted you to pursuing an apprenticeship?
“Having worked within engineering for ten years, between various roles at MGF, I felt that gaining my degree would be the next step in that progression. So, the Degree Apprenticeship allowed me to continue working, whilst attending university part time.”
What do you see as the advantages of an apprenticeship?
“I have been given the opportunity to step outside of my own engineering comfort zone and branch off into different disciplines of engineering, of which I wouldn’t usually be a part of. This has allowed me to develop transferable skills to bring back into my own working environment. Through the knowledge and experience gained, I have become a dependable member of the MGF engineering team and have been promoted to an engineering team leader role.”
What has been your favourite aspect of work life at MGF?
“My favourite aspect of MGF has always been the people I work with. Having been here for so long, people come and go but the atmosphere and the willingness to help each other succeed has never changed. “
Can you give some examples of your favourite tasks in your role?
“After being promoted into an engineering team leader, and now in the 5th and final year of my degree, I get to spend more time managing my team and being a mentor to graduate engineers and the first-year apprenticeship technicians. This allows me to pass on knowledge and advice, helping MGF develop new talent for the future.”
Congratulations to Chris on becoming a finalist for Apprentice of the Year! Find out more about MGF’s careers.
