Courtney’s Story
Courtney Thompson is currently working through the 2nd year of her Apprenticeship. After trying Sports Science at college and deciding it wasn’t for her, she went out to work with her Dad doing Installations and Electrics. She then decided to apply for work in that field and stumbled across an Apprenticeship for Lift Engineering, which enticed her to apply as it seemed so dynamic. Courtney is the perfect example of taking the plunge and trying something new, as it opens the door to new and exciting opportunities.
Her aspiration is to now become a qualified Service, Callout and Repair Engineer for Lifts. After completing a Lift NVQ, she would like to go on to complete an Escalator NVQ. Eventually, she would like to progress to an NVQ4 so she can become a Technician/Tester. We recently had the chance to chat with Courtney about her experience as an Apprentice so far and here’s what she had to say…
“I would say just go for it. Everything is going to be new, especially going in, coming out of school or college, you just have to go for it. And if it sounds like it’s for you, you should just delve into it. And if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. And if it is, you’re in this wonderful world of lifts.”
Courtney’s Advice to anyone interested in a Lift and Escalator Apprenticeship
What made you apply for a Lift Engineering Apprenticeship?
I was applying for anything and everything but when I came across Lift Engineering, it was so dynamic. The Engineering wasn’t just Electrical, it was Mechanical, it was Hydraulic. It just sounded really challenging.
What subjects did you like at school?
Physics definitely, in school. There wasn’t a lot of Engineering at all. Then when I went to college, I went into Sports Science and it just wasn’t for me. Then I left there and I just started doing, Installations and Electrics with my Dad for like a year. That’s when I found my interest, especially in Engineering. So then I went back to college like four, five years later and delved in.
What is your week like as an Apprentice?
I do one day a week of online training that goes over the theory, and then four days a week, I’m actually out in the field, learning hands-on experience. So, it’s definitely a mix. I wouldn’t like to say what I prefer because with both I’m learning every day.
What would your advice be to other females who are interested in an Apprenticeship?
It would just be, go for it. Honestly. Don’t let anything put you off. It’s quite daunting at first, but you just learn to get on with it. I still feel like I have to prove myself daily, but you just do it. I feel special.
In terms of your future goals, where do you see yourself in say a few years from now?
As a qualified Lift Engineer, and hopefully down the line, a Technician. The Technician roles are definitely more for me because it’s more technical. It’s more fault-finding and it’s more challenging. You’ve got to figure it out yourself and it takes a lot. It’s a long process to get there but it’s definitely worth while in the end.
How have you coped in a stressful situation and what would your advice be?
I think a lot of the days are very stressful and you get trapped in the moment. You get lost with some things and you just go around in circles. So I’d definitely just take a step back, take five minutes and just breathe and then go back. It doesn’t have to be necessarily on that day. Just go back and try again.
Do the hours work as a single Mum?
Yeah, I mean, it definitely works for me. My little one goes to school between like eight and three. As soon as you get your work done and clock off, it’s normally around about five o’clock, sometimes you work later as well, so I’ve got a lot of family support.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Probably just the job itself every day. It’s so challenging. As I said, the faults you come across, the repairs you have to do, it’s all challenging, but you, you learn as you go.
Have you had people around to support you?
Yeah, definitely. All of my Mentors and fellow Engineers, especially Managers as well, they’re all very internally based. So there’s a lot of back and forth between all of us and it’s sort of a confidence boost between everyone.
Has your Apprenticeship given you financial freedom?
Oh, definitely because I’m a single Mum as well. So, just being able to get paid while you’re working and learning. It’s all a big bonus
How have you coped in a stressful situation and what would your advice be?
I think a lot of the days are very stressful and you get trapped in the moment. You get lost with some things and you just go around in circles. So I’d definitely just take a step back, take five minutes and just breathe and then go back. It doesn’t have to be necessarily on that day. Just go back and try again.
What is one of your favourite things about your Apprenticeship?
Definitely the people. Just going into such a diverse world, you meet so many different people and it’s just good to get that experience.
What would your advice be to anyone considering a Lift Engineering Apprenticeship?
I would say just go for it. Everything is going to be new, especially going in, coming out of school or college, you just have to go for it. And if it sounds like it’s for you, you should just delve into it. And if it’s not for you, it’s not for you. And if it is, you’re in this wonderful world of lifts.
What is the most exciting thing about the industry?
It’s all totally different. You come across a different job every day and it’s all totally different. You come across new technologies, old technologies that you’ll never see again. And it’s just such an eye opener because everyone uses a lift every day and they don’t think about what’s inside or what makes them and it’s quite interesting.
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