Apprenticeship Route Proves Better by Degree for Erjon

The impact of the pandemic on the education of many young people is still evident. For one SERC apprentice it changed his mode of study, but in his case it was for the best. 

Erjon Berisha (21) from Belfast followed his GCSEs with a BTEC National Diploma in Electrical Engineering and then progressed to Queen’s University Belfast to do a BSc in Electrical Engineering.   Unfortunately for Erjon, he started his degree in the middle of the pandemic.   He says, “I suppose at that time everything was in such a state of flux, we didn’t know how things were going to work out. As I had been accepted to QUB, I went on to start my degree. But everything was online, and I soon discovered the reality of sitting in a room at a computer all day was not going to work for me.

I did some research and found out about the Level 3 Fire & Security Systems Apprenticeship NI at South Eastern Regional College (SERC). I worked in retail for the rest of the year and then secured employment with H & J Martin in the first instance, and then Ashdale, and I am completing my qualification with SERC.”

Erjon adds, “If it hadn’t been for the pandemic, I suppose I would have continued at university and got the degree, but the apprenticeship is working out better for me.  I am employed, so out working, and learning on the job and in college.”

The young man came fourth in SkillBuild NI in May, which secured him a place at the International Fire and Security Exhibition Conference (IFSEC) competition where he won through to the WorldSkills UK national finals taking place in November. He said, “I thoroughly enjoyed the competition at SkillBuild and IFSEC, you are motivated to improve your work and skills and the mentoring is great. You are pitting your skills against your peers, so it is a fairly tight competition, but I am delighted to get through to WorldSkills UK finals.”

Speaking about changing his pathway and coming to SERC, Erjon concludes, “I am enjoying SERC.  The tutors are all great.  I would certainly encourage anyone who is considering university to consider the apprenticeship route too.”  

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