One thing I’ve learned is this: you can’t eat the elephant all in one go 🐘. Take small steps, stay focused, trust the process and never lose sight of the goal. Sometimes, just stepping back and looking at your journey from a fresh perspective helps you figure out your next move. So, here’s mine—and I hope it helps you with yours.

👋 Introduction

Hey! I’m Hasiba Nawaz, and I’m coming to the end of my Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering at the AMRC Training Centre. I genuinely believe that sharing our stories matters—it helps others see that apprenticeships are a brilliant path, no matter what anyone else says. 💬

🌱 Early Interests & Background

Growing up, I always had a practical mindset and learned best in these types of environments, therefore the thought of spending more time in the classroom was not for me. In a Pakistani household, education is everything—and with four sisters who all went down the traditional A-levels-to-university route, I felt the pressure. But I knew deep down that university wasn’t the right fit for me.

My passion for engineering sparked when my dad, a builder, started constructing out family home in 2016, after countless meetings with the architects and finally been given planning permission, we began construction. Mapping out the foundations, using a 3-tonne mini digger to dig out the foundations, pouring the concrete, mixing cement, block laying, placing the concrete beams, I was hooked. During lockdown, I spent majority of my time on the construction site, it taught me countless skills, which I have carried with me since. That same excitement I felt back then is what I bring to work now.

I channelled these skills into my Product Design lessons at school, and created a lamp inspired by meditations, this relied upon limited supports, with the light being covered in layers of coloured transparent acrylic, using 3D printing techniques and Thermoforming Techniques, as a result I received a distinction! 🙌

In Year 10, I also did a week of work experience at Aviaf, where I got hands-on with components, shadowing design engineers, etc. That experience confirmed it: engineering was my path.

These experiences have shaped the kind of person I have become today, and I wouldn’t change it for a thing, regardless of how tiring and complicated these projects were.

🔍 Exploring Options

As I knew university wasn’t for me, so I started exploring alternatives, T Levels seemed promising, but they didn’t offer paid work. Fortunately, I bumped into the AMRC ‘s recruitment lead at a STEM workshop, she introduced me to apprenticeship, the phrase, ‘Earn while you learn’, planted a seed in my head and enticed me to research more. Soon I realised an apprenticeship was my next step.

Despite some family members being unsure, I ignored them I decided this was what I wanted and pursued it. I followed my gut. I also realised there’s a stereotype that apprenticeships are for those who are not smart, or ‘Thick’? That couldn’t be further from the truth. Apprenticeships offer qualifications, hands-on experience, career progression, no student debt—and yes, a salary 💷 to start building your future.

📝 The Application Journey

With only a 25% chance of getting an apprenticeship with the AMRC TC, I knew it was a risk—but one I was willing to take. I applied through the AMRC, the Gov website, and Sheffield College as a backup. I listed every employer I was interested in and kept my options open. I even emailed companies directly to show initiative and stand out.

💪 Overcoming Challenges

Within the first 3 weeks I received an email from the AMRC which stated I secured an interview as a R&D technician, throughout the interview I was nervous, yet I pushed through acted confident, asked questions. I knew as soon as I walked out the doors I didn’t get it. With hopes low, and exams soon approaching, any free time I would get would be me applying to apprenticeships. With a new slot of vacancies being posted on the AMRC website, I emailed again with list of companies I was interested in, soon I received another call from the AMRC recruitment team, stating I had secured an interview with Balmoral Tanks, excited I put the date in my calendar spent days preparing for the interview. On the day of the interview, it was like a switch clicked in me, I was calm, composed, and already wanted the apprenticeship as soon as they began describing it to me, I had the belief that the apprenticeship was already mine. 1 week later, I was offered the apprenticeship, it felt surreal. 🎉

I’d come so close before, and now I had it. It just shows what hard work, consistency, and belief in yourself can do. My experience helped me stand out—and that made all the difference.

🛠️ Life as an Apprentice

Fast forward to today:

✅ 2 Years of Hands-On Experience

✅ Featured in Enginuity’s 365 Faces of STEM

✅ Top 100 Manufacturer Candidate for 2025

✅ AMRC STEM Champion & Class Rep

✅ Completed a 3-Year Apprenticeship in Just 2 Years

✅ Supported by an amazing team at Balmoral Tanks

My daily workflow involves supporting the design team, consistently improving the design systems, attend online webinars, and solving CAD issues through forums and research.

Being an apprentice has been a transformative experience for me. Every day brings something new—whether it's learning technical skills, collaborating with experienced engineers, or contributing to work in progress projects that make a difference to the design aspect of the business. I’ve developed a strong foundation in CAD this consists of 3D parts, assemblies and orthographic drawings, and problem-solving, alongside soft skills like communication, time management, and teamwork. The hands-on nature of the role means I’m constantly applying what I learn, which makes the journey both challenging and rewarding. It’s a unique blend of education and employment that’s helped me grow professionally while still having the support to learn and develop. 💻🔧

🌍 Making an Impact

One of the most rewarding parts of my journey has been becoming a STEM Champion. Through this role, I’ve had the opportunity to visit schools and speak directly to students—especially young girls—about the possibilities within STEM. I share my story to show them that if I can do it, so can they. 💪👩‍🔧

There’s still a gap in representation, and I want to help close it. Whether it’s through classroom talks, workshops, or just answering questions, I aim to make STEM feel more accessible and exciting. It’s not just about promoting engineering—it’s about showing students that their background, gender, or doubts don’t define their potential. Every visit reminds me why I started, and why it’s so important to keep going.

🎯 What’s Next?

As I look ahead, I’m excited to take the next step in my journey by pursuing a degree apprenticeship in product development. My goal is to deepen my understanding of design engineering and contribute even more to the team at Balmoral Tanks. I plan to take on greater responsibility by supporting the design team in more advanced projects and helping to develop a new design system that improves efficiency and innovation across the business.

This next chapter is all about growth—building on the foundation I’ve created and pushing myself to learn, lead, and make a real impact. I’m ready to take on new challenges, explore new technologies, and continue shaping my future one step at a time. 💼📐

💡 Advice to Others

If you're thinking about doing an apprenticeship, honestly—just go for it. Don’t let doubts or other people’s opinions hold you back. Apprenticeships give you real experience, a salary, and a proper chance to build your career from the ground up. Take some time to look into different roles, tailor your applications, and be honest about what you're good at and what you want to learn. You don’t need to have everything figured out—what matters most is being open to learning and growing. And yeah, you might hit a few bumps along the way, but every setback is just part of the journey.

🗨️ Reflection

Looking back on my journey—from being a GCSE student unsure of what path to take, to being a candidate in the Top 100 Manufacturer - I’m proud of how far I’ve come. It wasn’t always easy, and there were moments of doubt, setbacks, and tough decisions. But every challenge taught me something valuable, and every small step moved me closer to where I am today. Choosing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It gave me the chance to grow, learn, and prove to myself that success doesn’t have one set route. If my story can help even one person feel confident about taking that first step, then sharing it has been worth it. 💬✨

Hasiba Nawaz

Design Automation Apprentice at Balmoral Tanks

You can find out more and connect with Hasiba on LinkedIn.