I left school at 16 and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I got a job housekeeping at Center Parcs in Longleat Forest. The job was OK but I struggled with the hours. I had to get up for work at half 5 in the morning! After about 18 months I wanted to do something different and start a proper career.

At school I enjoyed English, sport, science and metal working. I was keen to do something practical which involved metal. I got the phone book and went on the internet and started contacting firms to see if they were looking to hire. I was really determined and contacted loads of firms. In the end a break came and Salisbury Switchgear offered me a position as an apprentice welder. I think they were impressed how eager I was. I had phoned them 3 times in a week to see if they would consider me.

Salisbury Switchgear contacted Avon Vale Training and together they organised my apprenticeship. I went to college on day release every Wednesday for two years to complete the NVQ in “Performing Engineering Operations” (Level 2) and a VRQ. At work I learnt MIG & TIG welding and built “switchgear” cabinets which are metal cabinets used to house electrical controls. I made things for the BBC and for the MoD for use in Iraq, and also cabinets used at docks so ships could plug into them and powerup.

One morning we were called to a meeting and told that with immediate effect the company had ceased trading and was going into liquidation. It was totally ‘out of the blue’ and was shocking for everyone. I was worried myself. I was out of a job and only part way through my apprenticeship.

No one was advertising so I started searching again. I rang around companies and got on my motorbike to ask them in person if they had a vacancy. Although they all said ‘no,’ I kept going and revisited them a week later to hand in my CV. When I went back to Steel Fabrications Ltd in Westbury they said that something had come up and asked if I could start on Monday.

I now weld sports car chassis for Caterham. I’m in my final year of the apprenticeship and hope to qualify next summer. Avon Vale are taking me through the NVQ (Level 3) in “Fabrication & Welding Engineering” at work, and I go to City of Bristol College to complete my City and Guilds course every Friday.

I took up Taekwondo about 2 years ago with a group called P.U.M.A (the Professional Unification of Martial Arts). Taekwondo is from Korea and has fast, high and spinning kicks. I now train around 7 times a week and go all over to different P.U.M.A Taekwondo clubs. I’m part of my association’s squad of tournament competitors which includes quite a few world champions. I’ve just been selected for a tournament in Cork, Ireland and will represent Britain in the coloured belt categories. It’s really exciting.

Engineering is a good career for me. I’ve always liked being hands on and practical and wouldn’t be happy in a job where I was tied to a desk. Engineering is also much better paid than more traditional jobs for girls such as child carer or hairdressing and there are lots of opportunities to get on.

You have to be realistic and it’s not for all girls. I’m a welder and work in a very male environment. In the past I think some people have felt threatened by a girl. You have to stay focussed on doing a good job. I feel that I have to prove that I’m at least as good as the guys.

I knew when I left school that I wanted to start earning money, and its great that I can get qualifications at the same time. Hands-on experience is what really matters. I wish more young people knew about apprenticeships. We were told very little about them at school and they are a great way to learn.

Apprenticeships need to be better publicised!