Former Technical Engineering Apprentice
“The team really want you to learn here. I remember, as an example, when I was working on learning telephony, we were given a lot of time to just explore, rather having to earn the organisation money straight away. We had space to play around with new systems, to get to know how they work. You’re there to take in and understand as much as you can, so that you can be valuable in the long-term.
At the same time though, it’s not all just a learning experience – you’re rapidly doing very important work, even if you’re making small contributions to start with. During my programme, I spent some time manufacturing alarm system panels. I knew what I was making wasn’t just for fun – it would be boxed, deployed, and installed at an overseas government site. It’s practical and hands-on.
"What excites me here is that I’m surrounded by dynamic, motivated people – people whose way of working inspires me."
The space to learn, the experience you get; it means you can move onwards and upwards very quickly too. Immediately after my programme, I became an installation engineer. I was travelling the world on overseas trips for 4-6 weeks, installing security systems. I even progressed to become leader of the team.
From being team leader, I went on to an overseas posting for five years in Kenya. With a mixture of technical maintenance support and project management, I had responsibility for servicing ten different embassies in East Africa. Even there, I was still building on skills I’d first learned on the apprenticeship, expanding my knowledge as part of the overseas team.
"The space to learn, the experience you get, it means you can move onwards and upwards very quickly too."
What excites me here is that I’m surrounded by dynamic, motivated people – people whose way of working inspires me – and they mentor my growth. I think one thing anyone here will tell you is that FCDO Services are brilliant at the way they manage your training, both within the apprenticeship and far beyond it. If there’s something you’re interested in, all you need to do is ask, and unless it’s outrageous, the business will support you in that."
