Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic to Homecare Apprentice

I served for just under three years in the RAF as an aircraft maintenance mechanic, and upon leaving I applied for a role with British Gas on their apprenticeship scheme.

My first day of training was different but good as the first week was spent on a residential in a farm house and I was the only female with eleven guys! However I was used to working in a mainly male environment in the RAF. The training is excellent at the academy but I really enjoy being out on patch with the engineers.

As with my role in the RAF, my new role requires being able to pay attention to details and having a logical approach to solving problems. Being a team player really helps when you are based in the academy and also in the field as we are part of a team supported by a Field Manager. Everyone is really helpful and the engineers are happy to have you out on patch with them.

The thing I enjoy most about being part of the British Gas Family is that the company and everyone looks after you, the training is really good, a lot better than what I expected.

I have been in the role less than 12 months but there is a lot of work involved in the Apprenticeship.There is a lot to learn and there is a lot of commitment involved in the training at the Academy and in the volunteering aspect of the Duke of Edinburgh award. My volunteering comprises of working in a soup kitchen at St Georges’ Crypts in Leeds.

I would encourage anyone thinking of joining British Gas to go for it; it’s a good company for military people to join as they really look after you and ex-forces personnel have a lot of transferable skills that fit in with the British Gas roles and values.