They may already be familiar faces to many at Ameon HQ but let’s officially welcome Lois Drinkwater and Ryan Marginson, who are the latest recruits to join company’s acclaimed degree apprenticeship programme.
Lois, 19, and Ryan, 18, both hail from the Staining area and are already immersing themselves in study and work experience as part of the five-year programme that should see them graduate through the University of Central Lancashire with Building Services Engineering degrees, and with five years’ on-the-job experience.
Ryan attended Baines School in Poulton before studying for A-levels at Blackpool Sixth Form College. At the time, A-levels were the favoured option, as he was undecided about a future career path, but following our annual contact with the college, in search of potential recruits, he was inspired to apply for our programme.
Lois opted for T-levels at Blackpool & the Fylde College as the study route to her preferred career in engineering and found herself the lone female in a 16-strong class group at the college! Unbeknown to dad, Rob – who, as many will know, works for Ameon – Lois applied to us directly, and the first he knew of it was when her application was successful.
Both recruits recognised the obvious plus points of studying, whilst gaining paid work experience, and graduating without the student debt associated full-time attendance at university. And both are delighted with their choice of the degree apprenticeship route to qualification. Comments Lois: “I always enjoyed STEM subjects, and engineering was always my first choice, so I’m really pleased to gain this opportunity on the programme.
“Obviously, my dad’s in the sector here and has always supported my ambitions. And my mum, Kelly, has provided my inspiration by seeing her strive in her own career, where she’s risen to a senior position within the logistics industry. So both have shown me that anything is possible if you commit to something.”
With five years of work/study ahead, Ryan and Lois are unlikely to have much time left over for out of work activities, although Ryan is a committed socialiser, while Lois is likely to be found walking around The Lake District with dogs, Vega and Astra in tow (or perhaps the other way around). As the dog’s names suggest, she is also a big fan of astronomy!
Welcoming them to Ameon, design director, Dave Connor was keen to mention their contribution to date, saying: “In the short time Ryan and Lois have been with us they’ve established themselves in the team and I think we’ve got two really good, bright young apprentices who, I’m confident, will go on to qualify and make a real contribution to Ameon’s future.”
We wish them all best, as they work towards graduation.
