In July 2022, MGF apprentice Charlie Stockley graduated from Liverpool John Moore’s University and was awarded a First Class BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering.
Charlie started his degree apprenticeship in 2017, during this time he has benefited from the chance to implement the knowledge and skills he was learning at university in the workplace. When asked what he enjoyed most about his degree apprenticeship, Charlie answered, “Working and learning in parallel, developing alongside like-minded people and being able to work with fellow engineers with different backgrounds and experiences.”
“My first day compared to my last, I have developed from a trainee civil engineering Technician with limited experience to a qualified Civil Engineer, gaining a knowledge base within a wealth of engineering aspects due to my academic studies and utilising those skills learned while working within the Design Team at MGF.”
During the early stages of his university journey, the workplace and academic developments gave Charlie the right tools to achieve EngTech status with the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE).
Charlie believes that the degree apprenticeship rather than a traditional degree was the correct path for him. Charlie said, “The format of the Degree Apprenticeship, including the ICE contribution, ensured the appropriate measures were in place for continuous development both from an academic and workplace perspective providing the foundations for early success in my career as an Engineer.”
The degree apprenticeship course is over 5 years compared to the traditional 3 or 4 years for a Civil Engineering Degree. Whilst completing his degree apprenticeship, Charlie faced the same struggles as anyone who is combining study with a career such as managing work life balance, meaning he had to be committed and focused.
“I didn’t start at MGF with the intention of doing a degree apprenticeship, at college, I did BTEC engineering where I realised, I wanted to work in CAD / 3D modelling side of Engineering. After college, I started at MGF as a trainee technician and quickly realised I wanted to be an engineer, MGF presented me with the opportunity of a degree apprenticeship now I have graduated with a first-class degree.”
The next steps for Charlie will be to firstly sit his Incorporated Engineer End Point Assessment, then to continue to explore the new opportunities that gaining his degree has opened up for him to continue his progression at MGF.
Engineering manager, Lee Womersley explained that
“Charlie joined us as a trainee Technician at 18, he had limited industry knowledge and primarily focused on gaining his experience as a drafting Technician.
“Over the course of the apprenticeship, Charlie developed his understanding of engineering principles, whilst gaining confidence around other professionals, which enhanced his communication skills. These now all complement him in his role as an Engineer.
“The apprenticeships’ relationship with the ICE has steered Charlie’s development to align with the requirements as a professional Engineer. At MGF we are all really proud of Charlie’s achievement, and now believe he standards as an example of how choosing this route provides a solid foundation as a career choice and creates fantastic opportunities once complete.”
If you are interested in a career with MGF, please visit our careers page.
