Apprenticeship route with added confidence for Victoria

Taking on an apprenticeship has been the best thing for Victoria McIlroy.   The young woman, who readily admits she was painfully shy at school, says as well as working towards a coveted qualification and a career, the apprenticeship route has given her a confidence boost.

Victoria (19) from Portaferry, is in the third year of her ApprenticeshipNI Level 3 in Electrical Installation South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Newtownards Campus and is employed by Irwins.

She said, “I was inspired by my dad Graeme to do an apprenticeship.   He is very handy and was always doing jobs about the house or for family, so it was just the norm to get involved and do practical things. 

She continued, “At school, when we got the chance to do construction and electrical wiring, I was dead keen, but was told the class was full.   It was my dad who got on to the school to ensure I didn’t miss out.  I think I knew from then an apprenticeship would be the best route for me.   I came along to a SERC Open Day, and although I was also interested in another trade, I settled on Electrical Installation after speaking to the tutors and seeing the facilities.

“However, I was totally deflated with rejections from over 30 employers when I tried to get someone to take me on.  It was my mum, Diane, who spotted Irwins were taking on apprentices on social media, and she helped me contact them, apply and secure a position.  I know I am lucky to have very supportive parents on my side, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”

Speaking about her apprenticeship with Irwins, she said, “I have been with Irwins for the duration of my apprenticeship.   I am well looked after and supported as I work towards my qualifications; and I have a whole team of mentors I can go to for help and support.  Irwins has an apprenticeship rotation scheme, so you get to try different parts of the organisation.   Right now, I am on rotation in the office where I am completing Electrical Installation Certificates and checking different teams work. Our work is in the commercial sector, and we work all over Northern Ireland, but I have been mostly based in Belfast. 

Victoria continued, “I am very hand hands-on, and learn best by doing. I always say with the apprenticeship you really are learning something new every day. “I have never had an issue being female in what is perceived as a male dominated industry - work is busy so everyone just gets on with the task at hand.  We are all professionals.

Asked what advice she would give to anyone thinking of an apprenticeship Victoria said, “I would say, go for it.   I was very shy when I started, but the combination of learning on the job, being out and about with work and then back in college one day a week, means you are meeting different people and in different situations every day.   No two days are the same, so I think the apprenticeship route has really brought me out of my shell.”

Victoria concluded, “I hope to stay on with Irwins when I complete my Level 3 to further my skills and experience.  They have a base in England so I might like to try working over there for a while.   Long term, I would love to be my own boss, but right now, I am keeping my options open.”

SERC is hosting four Information and Apprenticeships - Have a Go Sessions over two evenings during NI Apprenticeship Week, 4.30 – 7.00pm on Tuesday 4 February (Bangor and Newtownards Campuses) and Thursday 6 February (Downpatrick and Lisburn Campuses).