NIAW2023: Apprenticeship Route Cleared Path for Damien Kerr's Career Goals

The apprenticeship route wasn’t always Damien Kerr’s (23) first choice, but it has proved to be his best choice, as a SERC Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship has the Millisle man on track to succeed in his chosen career.

Speaking about his educational path and how things didn’t go the way he had originally planned, Damien said: “I didn’t get the results I had hoped for at A-Level so didn’t get into the university I would have preferred, but still continued on that education path and went into clearing, being offered a place at Dundee University.  However, after being there for over a year and trying two different courses and not liking it, I decided to come home.

“After I returned from University I searched for jobs and ways to try to start and develop a career for myself, and eventually I saw an apprenticeship opportunity through Magellen and SERC and I went for it.”

Speaking about his apprenticeship Damien said “My title at Magellen is ‘Apprentice Machinist’, upon completion of my apprenticeship I will be a fully qualified grade 5 Engineering Machinist. A large part of my job is making aeroplane parts, mostly wing parts.

“The learning and training at SERC has helped with my job at Magellen. The two elements of the apprenticeship, learning in college and working on site really complement each other so well, being able to put theory into practice on a regular basis is hugely advantageous in developing the practical skills required to succeed.”

Damien has found this method of training and learning to be more relevant to him “Having been to university, I now realise the preferred method of learning for me is training/learning through an apprenticeship. I felt traditional education was a bit disconnected, learning a load of theory but not seeing it applied seemed a bit pointless for me, while on the apprenticeship everything I learn I’m able to practically apply, which really helps the learning process.”

Damien concluded by talking about his time at SERC “My time at the college has been great so far, developing the skills and knowledge that are helping me on the path to my future career is very enjoyable. I would recommend SERC to anyone, I never really considered it before, I was just so focussed on that progression of GCSE’s to A Levels to University."

SERC are hosting Have a Go Sessions for potential apprentices 4.30pm to 7.00pm at Lisburn Campus - Monday 6 February; Bangor Campus -Tuesday 7 February; Newtownards Campus - Wednesday 8 February, and Downpatrick Campus - Thursday 9 February. 

Visit https://www.serc.ac.uk/NI-Apprenticeship-Week-2023 to unlock your future #BetterOffAtSERC.