Megan Gorman, Junior Engineer at Unipres UK was the NEAA Apprentice Award winner at the 2024 event. As a trailblazer for women in engineering at Unipres, Megan is now furthering her career through a degree apprenticeship.
Looking back on the year since winning the award, how has it impacted you personally and professionally?
Since winning the award I have become more confident in my own ability and it has increased my profile.
I have also started my Degree Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering at Sunderland University where I attend on day release and this will be a two-year programme. This brings its own new challenges juggling work demands alongside my studies which are more intense than the previous apprenticeship. I am the only person within my department doing this degree and I hope this will bring new opportunities to further my career.
Has winning the award changed your perspective on your career goals and aspirations?
I am a proud female in engineering and winning the award has just reaffirmed by desire to remain within the engineering sector in some capacity. It has been encouraging to see more females on my degree course this year than in previous years. I hope I can encourage other females to join the sector because of the rewarding career opportunities it presents.
What specific skills or knowledge have you developed in the past year, and how have these contributed to your professional growth?
I have developed my project management skills over the past year. I am now responsible for commissioning of the cells on the shop floor linked to the trials of the PZ1D (Leaf). This is the first new model since my promotion to Junior Engineer and it is the biggest quantity for trails ever done here at Unipres. It’s very rewarding for me to see a project through from beginning to end.
What challenges have you faced in the past year, and how did you overcome them?
The trial period has been a valuable learning experience, with several challenges requiring additional effort and overtime to resolve. Working closely with the team has been crucial in overcoming these hurdles. I am proud to have taken ownership of these challenges and am thankful to see the positive outcomes of our collective efforts.
Do you feel adequately supported in your career development?
Yes. Unipres, in particular Rob Dodds, is a fantastic mentor and my suggestions have been listened to and acted upon. I feel I have been able to learn a lot more within a supply chain company than perhaps people in an equivalent role within a larger business.
Would you encourage other young people to consider apprenticeships as a career pathway?
Yes. Go for it. If you have a strong mindset and perseverance, you will succeed within the automotive sector. You will benefit from earning whilst you learn and the hands-on experience is invaluable in shaping your future success. Make sure you take all the career guidance you can from school and careers advisors, because this is how I got into this industry.
