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In a rapidly evolving engineering industry, the need for skilled professionals who combine academic knowledge with hands-on experience has never been greater. Aeron Smitham’s journey from a production operator to an Electrical Engineer at Mott MacDonald is a shining example of how degree apprenticeships at UWTSD can pave the way for career advancement.

Aeron began his career at Timet, working as a temporary production operator before securing an electrical apprenticeship. Eager to enhance his technical expertise, he pursued an HNC in Electrical Engineering at the ���Ҵ�ý (UWTSD). His positive experience with the university, combined with its strong reputation and flexible learning options, made UWTSD the natural choice when he decided to continue his studies with a BSc in Electrical Engineering.

“Continuing with a BSc in Electrical Engineering made sense for my career progression,” Aeron said. “I wanted to deepen my knowledge, gain additional qualifications, and continue developing my technical expertise while working in the industry.”

Aeron’s studies at UWTSD focused on real-world applications, particularly in industrial automation and control systems. One of the highlights of his course was working with Siemens PLCs, an experience that significantly impacted his professional development. His expertise in this area led to him becoming the Subject Matter Expert for Siemens PLCs within his company, playing a key role in automation and control system improvements.

“The hands-on learning experience was invaluable, as it directly related to my job and allowed me to apply new skills in real-world scenarios,” he said.

Like many professionals pursuing higher education, Aeron faced the challenge of balancing work, studies, and personal commitments. While completing his degree, he was promoted to a senior role, which increased his responsibilities. Managing a mortgage and parenting commitments alongside his studies required a disciplined approach, but with support from his employer and family, as well as the flexibility of UWTSD’s degree apprenticeship, he successfully navigated these challenges.

“The structure of the course made it possible to manage everything effectively,” he said.

Since completing his degree, Aeron has secured a role as an Electrical Engineer at Mott MacDonald, a global engineering consultancy. He attributes this achievement to the skills and qualifications he gained through UWTSD, which strengthened his candidacy for higher-level engineering roles.

Looking ahead, Aeron plans to apply for accreditation with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and is considering furthering his studies with a master’s degree. His goal is to achieve Chartered Engineer status, allowing him to take on more advanced roles within the industry. Additionally, he is passionate about advocating for degree apprenticeships, ensuring that more aspiring engineers recognise them as a valuable and respected pathway.

Aeron strongly recommends the degree apprenticeship route. “It’s the best way to gain a qualification while continuing to progress in your career. You can apply what you learn directly in the workplace, gain real-world experience, and earn a degree without taking time away from employment.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071