Combating climate change

Meet Ben! Ben is a degree apprentice at E.ON, working on projects decarbonise the UK and tackle climate change.

• Name: Ben Wood
• Job: Electro-Mechanical Engineering Degree Apprentice
• Company: E.ON

 

• Why did you choose to become an engineer?

I chose to become an engineer because I have always been interested in new technologies and products coming out. I enjoy maths which helps, as well as problem solving and working with people. I want to make a difference in the world and actually help people too. Through engineering you can do that, especially working with a company such as E.ON, that is so focused on sustainability.

• What do you love about your job?

I love that I enjoy my job. With my apprenticeship I get to do what I really enjoy and work with really interesting people. I also love how welcoming everyone has been, and that there are always opportunities to learn new exciting things and develop myself.

• How did you get started as an engineer?

To get started as an engineer in my A levels I did maths, physics and product design which are all very engineering focused. I always thought I would go to university, but when I discovered degree apprenticeships, I knew this was what I wanted to do. I get to work in an interesting job, doing what I enjoy and getting paid for it, whilst working on my engineering degree and I have enough money and time to be able to do what I want outside of work and school, so I’m very happy in my position now. For me there are no down sides to it.

• How does your work make a difference to peoples’ lives?

Working in the energy sector for E.ON makes a difference to peoples lives because we are a green company that has good values and cares about the environment and sustainability. Doing the work we do is important to help decarbonise the UK, support the switch to electrification and combat climate change.

• What was the last exciting project you worked on?

The last exciting project I worked on was doing CAD drawings for potential customers so they can see what they would be getting if they worked with us. I have only been here a year and I’m already getting involved with a lot of different projects.

Soon, I will be working on the Queen’s Medical Centre Hospital in Nottingham, this is a very large project E.ON has at the moment and working with a hospital has a lot of unique challenges that need solving.

• What advice would you give a young person who was considering engineering as a future career?

Advice I would give to someone considering engineering as a career, is that it is a very broad subject, there is a lot you can do in engineering, so you’ll never get bored! You will never be out of a job, because almost everything in the world needs to be designed and manufactured.

Get involved in STEM activities outside of school to build your interest in this area and give you interesting examples to talk about in interviews that will make you stand out from the crowd. Also, look for work experience in engineering areas (especially in areas you are most interested in) to gains some hands-on experience.

And finally, apply for an apprenticeship! Apprenticeships will give you a huge boost above everyone else your age who just goes to university, you’ll have years of work experience to go along with your degree that other applicants for the same job will not have.

• What skills are important for being an engineer?

Skills and personal qualities you need to become a successful engineer include teamwork, creativity, good communication and problem solving. It is also important to be resilient and hardworking as working in engineering can be challenging. However, it is very rewarding, especially if you want an apprenticeship as they are really competitive. It is also good to be creative and to enjoy learning, as technology is always changing and we have to find new ways of doing things.