Katie Lockwood has just completed her GCSEs at Lincoln UTC. She achieved the grades she wanted and has been able to progress towards her dream job as an aeronautical engineer, two years ahead of other school-leavers in her position.

This is all thanks to the opportunities and support that her UTC gave her in pursuing her favourite subject - engineering. Here's Katie's story:

Why choose Lincoln UTC?

Katie first heard about Lincoln UTC, a new 14-19 school opening in September 2014, when she received a letter through the post. She was immediately attracted to it because it specialised in engineering, which was something she was very interested in. Three generations of Katie’s family have been involved in aeronautical engineering - her father, grandparents and her great grandfather.

Although Katie was happy at her school she wasn’t able to select engineering as one of her options for her GCSEs. So, during the summer holiday she went to talk to the staff at the UTC and she was really impressed by what she heard. She immediately applied for a place and started in September.

"I was completely sold. The fact I could study engineering, the impressive equipment and the links with employers was really appealing. I also liked the fact that I could work with my hands to make things and apply my learning in a practical way."

The Lincoln experience

Katie is really pleased she made the change to Lincoln UTC.

"Lincoln UTC was like a big family. With only two year groups in the first year, we got to know everyone. We had amazing access to our teachers and much more one-to-one support. I felt I wasn’t just a student but seen as an individual."

Katie had been really struggling with English at her previous school and typically got Ds and Es in her work. At Lincoln she received extra support and her grades started to improve. This was reflected in her GCSE English where she secured an A in her GCSE coursework.

Whilst at Lincoln, Katie decided to apply for an engineering apprenticeship with AirTanker, a consortium of the leading aerospace companies working on the Ministry of Defence contract for RAF Voyager. Despite the gruelling application including multiple interviews, aptitude tests and a written exam, Katie was one of six young people to be selected from 300 to take up an apprenticeship.

"I’m really proud I managed to secure a place. What helped was the experience I had at Lincoln. I had lots of opportunities to speak to employers and work on projects with them. This made me more confident in the interview. Also, Principal Dr Rona Mackenzie wrote an amazing letter of recommendation for me and really supported me."

A cut above the rest

Katie will be studying a Level 3 NVQ in aeronautical engineering and a Level 3 Diploma. She will be starting two years earlier than the majority of other apprenticeships because she has already undertaken engineering at Lincoln UTC (Cambridge National Technical Level 2).

"Studying engineering at Lincoln UTC has meant that I can get started in my career two years earlier than if I’d stayed at my previous school. It’s a great step forward and will help me to become a qualified aeronautical engineer much more quickly."

Lincoln UTC provides a unique learning opportunity for 14-19 year olds. Its curriculum combines core studies in subjects like maths and English, with highly specialist studies in engineering and science. Students can choose from a range of GCSE, A Level and Cambridge Technical qualifications and participate in practical projects and work experience programmes organised by leading employers and Lincoln University, which the UTC is partnered with.

All learning involves academic, technical and practical work-based experiences, helping students to fully prepare for life in employment, in an apprenticeship or at university.

Visit Lincoln UTC's website here

After leaving school he worked for his family’s training business in an administrative role before deciding on a change of career. Alex worked for an Estate Agent selling properties which helped him identify construction as his ideal career and he successfully applied to join the Technical Trainee Programme at Lindum, starting in May 2016. 

The Technical Trainee Programme designed by Lindum offers recruits the opportunity to follow a two year individual plan where they experience the range of job roles involved in a construction project from start to finish - from pricing the project with our Estimating Team through to building the finished product with design, buying, on-site management, Health & Safety among the other disciplines experienced throughout the life of the project.

Each trainee has an assigned Mentor with monthly reviews helping to monitor individual progress. Academic training is included to attain formal qualifications such as degrees, HNDS and HNCs via local colleges and universities. Competition is high to join the programme with recruits ranging from 16 to 24 years of age and coming from a variety of backgrounds including university graduates, school leavers and current employees. 

“I first became interested in construction after being involved with a number of family building projects and was looking for a new career direction. The Technical Trainee Programme offered by Lindum was the perfect opportunity for me to learn about all the different aspects of the building profession and I was delighted to be one of the successful candidates to gain a place” explains Alex.

“Since starting in May I have been assigned to work on the ‘One The Brayford’ project and have been able to see the processes from pre-contract, design tracking, site surveys, site set up to construction where I am employed currently.”  

“Working with the site management team of Matt Marshallsay, Andy Foster and John Savage is a great opportunity for me to learn from these experienced site managers and I aspire to do a similar role as I enjoy being site based, working at the sharp end!”

Alex has a NVQ Level 3 Certificate in Management and is currently enrolled on the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Level 3 course alongside other trainees at Lindum.

Cavan joined Lindum in June 2016 as an apprentice Vehicle Technician with Lindum Plant at the Peterborough Workshop. He is training under the supervision of Workshop Manager Adam Townsend for four days a week and then spends one day a week at Boston College, working towards his Motor Vehicle Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair IMI Diploma Level 2 qualification.

Cavan said: “I’ve loved every day since I started work here at Lindum, no one day is ever the same and the wide variety of vehicles we deal with here makes my job really interesting. As we also offer a Plant and Tool Hire service I also get involved in this side of the business and the maintenance of some of the smaller items of equipment.

Having Adam as my mentor and supervisor is enabling me to learn new skills and develop my own understanding and knowledge as I benefit from his vast experience in the trade.
Everyone I have met so far has been friendly and supportive, especially the small team I work with on a daily basis at the Peterborough site and I hope to continue my career with Lindum for many years to come.”

Cavan joined Lindum after completing a year’s full time study straight from school with Boston College where he achieved his NVQ Level 1 qualification.

Adam Townsend, who manages Cavan on a daily basis added “Cavan is a conscientious young man who is eager to learn. He has demonstrated he has a strong worth ethic, I know he previously worked part time at a local wood yard washing down Lorries and perform a wide range of general duties fitted around his full time college studies, and this hard working attitude continues to pay dividends for him. It is an honor to be able to support the next generation joining my profession and his contribution is greatly valued. In short, he is a pleasure to work with and mentor, he is an all-round good lad!”

Jack, 19, from Lincoln, joined Lindum in September 2015 as an apprentice joiner with our residential housing division Lindum Homes. Jack is training under the supervision of experienced joiner Jon Cocking who certainly knows the business as he has been with Lindum since 1999.

Jack also attends Lincoln College on block release as part of studies towards his Extended Diploma in Site Joinery Level 2 and NVQ qualifications.

Jack said: “I’m really enjoying learning my trade and being part of the Lindum Homes Team. I am currently based at The Oaks development in South Hykeham where we are busy building a mix of three, four and five bedroom houses.”

“I enjoy working with Jon Cocking on a daily basis as he knows the trade inside out and is always willing to take time to share his skills and experience which he has built up through a lifetime of working in the industry.”

Jack, who was a student at The Priory Academy LSST, joined Lindum from school after completing his GCSEs, he explains why he feels an apprenticeship was the right decision for him “I wanted to learn a trade and consider myself very fortunate to have been one of the apprentices selected to join Lindum last year as there was a lot of competition for places. It was definitely the right move for me as I am enjoying working, earning and studying for my qualifications.”

Joe initially joined Lindum in August 2015 as a Technical Trainee after qualifying with a HND in Construction from Grimsby College however, after working on his first project at Morrisons Flowerworld, he switched to train as a Quantity Surveyor after enjoying this job right from the start and deciding this was the career for him! 

“Using what I have learned in the classroom and putting this into practice in a real construction environment has proved to be very rewarding and, on occasions, challenging. The approachable and friendly nature of the Lindum team means there is no shortage of support and advice available from my experienced colleagues and makes each day a learning experience."

Joe has completed his ILM (Institute of Leadership Management) Level 3 in Leadership and Management with Lindum and is a CITB accredited Construction Ambassador promoting the construction industry associated careers within local schools.

Libby first heard about Lincoln UTC when she received a leaflet about the new school opening. She was immediately interested because it specialised in engineering and science, subjects she enjoyed a great deal. Libby was happy at her school and was about to start her GCSEs the following autumn, but she decided to go to the open day to find out more.

"I was really impressed with the equipment and loved the focus on engineering. I also enjoyed meeting the Principal who was really inspiring. At the end of the open day I knew I wanted to change schools and that the UTC was the right place for me."

Although her parents were initially concerned as Libby was just about to start her GCSEs, they were also impressed with the school and felt it was the right choice. Lisa Brooks, Libby’s mother said:

"We were worried about Libby changing to a brand new school but the curriculum, equipment, and the Principal, helped to reassure us. We thought it was the right choice for Libby."

Life at Lincoln UTC

Libby was offered a place at Lincoln UTC and started in September. Despite being nervous she made friends quickly and was delighted when her best friend from her previous school also joined. The environment was quite different at Lincoln and she found it much more mature.

"The atmosphere was much more friendly, we were treated as adults and wore business dress rather than traditional school uniform. We had a longer school day but this meant we could get our homework done before leaving to go home."

Libby enjoyed studying a raft of engineering subjects including design engineering and systems control and liked that they were linked to the real world. There were also opportunities to meet engineering employers, which helped to reinforce her interest in engineering.

Next Steps

In her second year Libby decided to apply to Dynex Semiconductor, a large engineering company that designs and manufactures semiconductors, for an apprenticeship. As she was also interested in business, she applied to become a Procurement Engineer. This is a highly technical role that requires knowledge of engineering and an understanding of business.

Libby secured an interview and undertook a gruelling recruitment process, which included a maths test, role playing task and a formal interview. At the end, Dynex offered the apprenticeship to Libby.

"I was really pleased to be offered the apprenticeship as I had to beat off much older competition. I think the experience at Lincoln helped to prepare me as I’d had lots of interview practice and was also very comfortable speaking to employers."

Libby will be undertaking a Level 3 Procurement Engineering Apprenticeship and is likely to be one of the youngest apprentices starting at Dynex. Following this, she hopes to stay with Dynex to develop her career in the company.

"I’m delighted to be getting started on my career with a company and role that is really exciting and just what I want. Lincoln UTC gave me the confidence, qualifications and experience to secure my apprenticeship and I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in science and engineering."

Visit Lincoln UTC's website here

As part of a four week work experience placement with Lindum in the summer of 2014 Rosie got to know the company and some of the people first hand so when the trainee position was advertised Rosie had no hesitation in applying for the vacancy.

The Priory City of Lincoln Academy is a school which has a well-established working relationship with Lindum and both support the Career Academies UK, a national charity that links schools and colleges with employers to help prepare young people for the world, through which Rosie’s initial work experience was organised.

Sara Hobson, Group Training Manager for Lindum, was appointed as Rosie’s mentor through the programme, she explains “As a local company we work with many local education organisations to help support the training and development of young people and this particular initiative run by the Careers Academies UK has proved very successful for both the students and employers. Students get real life experience of working in a commercial environment and employers gain fresh ideas and inspiration from the students input and what could be even better than when they come work for us!”

Since starting work for Lindum, Rosie has quickly established herself as a valuable member of the team and is enjoying her new career. Working as part of the Training Team, Rosie is responsible for organising events and administering the company’s extensive training and development programme. Not only is she helping train others Rosie is herself now a qualified ‘Construction Ambassador’ after successfully completing the CITB course and is actively involved in promoting careers in construction to young people.

“I consider myself very fortunate to work for Lindum and have enjoyed every minute here so far” said Rosie. “The people I work with are both supportive and encouraging in my ongoing career development and the variety of duties I get to carry out as part of my job role makes my work interesting and very rewarding. One day I could be representing Lindum at a local careers fair and the next day arranging an in-house training event for over 30 people, there is never a dull moment!”

Rosie is currently enrolled on the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) level 3 course and is completing this alongside other trainees at Lindum.