Ashleigh Sumner is a third year Electrical and Electronic Engineering Apprentice at Siemens in Congleton. She is really passionate for engineering, manufacturing and everything that is involved with it.For her ‘A Levels’ I Ashleigh decided to study subjects she enjoyed; Mathematics, Physics and Product Design and she was able to achieve the grades she needed in 2012. Ashleigh then looked at the apprenticeship route instead of university as it offered greater advantages and development to her, as it involved both theoretical learning and practical knowledge, which she could then put to the test in a practical environment.During her four year apprenticeship Ashleigh will complete the following certificates; IT Functional Skills, BTEC Level 3, NVQ Level 3 and a HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.In the past Ashleigh has worked extensively with local schools and colleges to design and deliver activities and events to encourage, engage and inspire students, teachers, parents and others about STEM subjects, engineering or all the other jobs that are involved in manufacturing. These opportunities have been very rewarding for her and she has thoroughly enjoyed every event that she has been involved in.The apprenticeship programme involves a four-year ‘rotation’ of the Siemens business. That means Ashleigh gets to try out a variety of different roles in the company, while attending college one or two days a week. Ashleigh also gets the chance to work with local schools to develop and promote STEM subjects – that’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – which is really fun too.She is currently in a placement in the Research and Development department (R&D). This involves designing and researching and contacting suppliers for a project she is currently involved in.Ashleigh doesn’t have a specific role in the department as she is still in her third year – instead she finds her ‘home’ department in the last year of her apprenticeship, where she will further develop her knowledge and understanding in that area.
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