To mark International Women in Engineering Day, we sat down with three of our own apprentices. Their stories prove that grades, gender stereotypes and career doubts need never stand in the way of a passion for engineering.

Maisi Partridge - Year 1

Maisi loved physics at GCSE but A-levels left her unconvinced that the classroom was the right place to learn. Her curiosity – and weekends spent fixing engines with her dad – pointed her towards an apprenticeship. Now in her first year at Lucy Electric, she is thriving on practical problem-solving and already mentoring local school pupils to spark their interest in STEM.

“There’s always something new to learn and improve on – that’s what excites me every day.”

Saskia Raja - Year 2

Saskia tried A-levels before realising that hands-on work suited her better. Her parents were thrilled when she secured a Battery Technician apprenticeship at UTAC; her friends were startled that she chose engineering over university. Today Saskia balances coursework with real-world projects and loves proving that advanced battery systems are not just “a guy thing”.

“My family backed me from day one – now my friends are asking how they can do the same.”

Rachael O’Mara - Year 3

By the time Rachael joined Barrus she had already worked her way up in hospitality and decided she wanted skills she could use for life – like rebuilding classic engines. As a Year 3 Mechanical Technician, she manages more than 20 engine projects and has completed her BTEC ahead of schedule. Rachael is quick to debunk the idea that engineering is all dirt and oil: gloves, tooling and teamwork keep the mess to a minimum.

“It is my hard work – not my gender – that moves me forward.”

Thinking about your own path? Explore our current engineering apprenticeship vacancies and turn your passion into a profession