Our People: Europe

I was looking for an apprenticeship in Manufacturing Engineering and had heard a lot about Moog from my friends. I knew they were a global firm and, importantly, had a good reputation. I applied and they offered me a position as their Craft Apprentice.

My current role title is Parts and Product Support Engineer. This involves designing jigs, tools, assembly fixtures and, now that we have a new product introduction process, test equipment. This gives me a lot of responsibility and allows me to work across a lot of departments. This is great for two reasons. Firstly, I get to work with people at all levels and, secondly, it lets me see how we work alongside our other branches in Baguio and Asia. For example, I can see how we're getting on regarding cost quality, delivery of designs and process implementation.

Another good thing about this job is that I keep progressing. When I first started, I was a little anxious, but that soon made way for excitement and a keenness to be involved. I was put into Assembly and Test and soon found myself developing new skills and expertise every day. I was working with people who treated me like one of the team and who were always happy to help. What made it even better was being selected for my role. This proved to me that all the hard work and effort I'd put in over the last five years at college and in the manufacturing plant had paid off - that I was good enough, a professional. And I loved the fact that Moog recognised this, too. In fact, they not only take chances on graduates when they believe they have talent, but they keep supporting them throughout. For instance, they acknowledged my drive, ambition and commitment by offering me the position, but they also followed that by sponsoring all my HNC/HND manufacturing college courses.

Now I'm simply enjoying the challenges that come with the job on a day-to-day basis. It's quite a contrast from my earlier days when I had to balance college, work and my personal life. To get paid to think up new designs is great, and being able to test myself by reducing lead time, manufacturing cost and meeting deadlines is something I relish. Add that to a friendly and highly-driven environment, and my job just gets even better.