An apprenticeship teaches you not only specific skills for the industry you’re working in, but also the skills you can take to any career you choose afterwards.
Andrew Burgon
Can you tell us a bit about your work and what you do?
I work in the National Physical Laboratory’s (NPL) Quantum Photonics Department. My work revolves around mapping defects in silicon carbide quantum dots, and the characterisation of single-photon detectors using attenuated laser sources. We measure various metrics in this realm such as detector efficiency, jitter, and dark count probability.
What motivated you to choose an apprenticeship?
I chose to pursue an apprenticeship because I made the choice long ago to not join university, and I wanted to take a step back into academia. It has helped immensely with my development of professional skills; I am working on multiple large-scale scientific projects while simultaneously furthering my knowledge on basic subjects in the classroom.
Can you describe a moment in your apprenticeship where you realised you were developing skills that will stay with you throughout your career?
Throughout my apprenticeship so far, there have been multiple opportunities where I have had to present my work or findings to my groups. These groups consist of highly accomplished scientists and physicists, so it was incredibly daunting. Pedestaling people made me feel insignificant and unknowledgeable but being an apprentice and slowly building up my expertise has boosted my confidence immensely when presenting; a skill that I will take throughout my life and career.
In what ways has your apprenticeship helped you grow beyond technical skills?
Contributing to largely research and development projects (R&D) has made me realise that not all science is smooth and simple. Things can become challenging for our team in the lab, and not knowing things sometimes frustrates me. However, being an apprentice has helped ground me and keep me resilient; I’m not expected to know everything so why become frustrated? This is an invaluable development in my growth that I will take with me in the future.
Are you considering applying for professional registration?
I have started my journey into professional registration by joining the Institute of Physics as an associate member. While right now I cannot further my status, I very much plan to later on in my career. I believe that being part of a great scientific body represents community within science. This, to me, is very important. Science in the areas I am working in, and on a global scale, is a cumulative effort and being able to share developments across the world is key.
How do you see the skills you’re developing now supporting your future ambitions or career pathway?
I plan to further my career in science with a bachelor’s degree upon completing my apprenticeship. Undoubtedly the skills I have developed over the course of these three years will be paramount to achieving my goals. Project time-management skills, presenting skills, lab experience, and communication skills are all examples that will support my future.
What support or guidance has helped you build lasting skills and confidence?
The guidance I’ve received so far has been imperative to my growth, and thankfully due to the nurturing environment of an apprenticeship, everywhere I turn I can ask someone for help. Whether it is from higher scientists in my group, past NPL apprentices, or from the people team, these have all develop my lasting skills.
If someone asked you how an apprenticeship prepares you with “skills for life,” what would you tell them?
An apprenticeship teaches you not only specific skills for the industry you’re working in, but also the skills you can take to any career you choose afterwards. Communication skills, confidence, professionalism, and commercial awareness are all exceptionally valuable things to carry with you anywhere and with anything you decide to pursue in your life.
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