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We asked Ella and Sarah to share their experience of our graduate and apprenticeship programmes, as young people across Ireland and the UK commit to the next steps in their education or training.
Here, they share their stories, advice, and tips for those looking to following in their footsteps.
Ella Peare is a Graduate Electrical Engineer. She joined Kirby full-time in 2024 from South East Technological University (SETU) in Waterford, Ireland.
“My journey with Kirby Group Engineering began with a three-month summer internship on a project in Zurich, Switzerland.” She later applied for and was one of the first recipients of our women in engineering scholarships in 2022.
This was followed by an eight-month student placement that saw her split her time between Zurich and Milan. “I was later offered a place on the Graduate Programme in 2024, with a full-time position as an Electrical Engineer in Milan, Italy,” she adds.
Sarah Mannion is a second year Electrical and Instrumentation Apprentice. She joined Kirby in 2023 and is now working on a high-profile pharmaceutical engineering project in Ireland, alongside completing assessments and training as part of the four-year programme. She will be attending her first college phase in October.
What is one piece of advice you would give someone making a decision on the route to take after their leaving certificate or GCSEs?
Ella: Choosing a career path can be challenging. My advice to anyone feeling uncertain is to talk to friends and family. They know you well, understand your interests, and they might suggest a career path or sector you hadn’t considered before. I’d also recommend attending career fairs or talks hosted by school or local colleges, these are incredibly valuable events, often with current students available to share their experiences and insights on the course work or projects.
Sarah: I’d say if you’re unsure of what you’d like to do, don’t rush into anything. There’s a lot of pressure to go to college. I went and it wasn’t for me. I tried many different things, and I eventually decided on my apprenticeship. You can always take a gap year and take your time to figure it out
What made you apply for the route you did?
Sarah: I applied for my apprenticeship as I’d seen my dad and uncle work all their lives as carpenters. I knew I didn’t want to do that, but I wanted to work with my hands. I really like maths and physics, so I figured electrical engineering would be a good fit. I did a few days with an electrician in domestic work so I could get a small grasp on the basics. I loved it and have learned so much since starting with Kirby.
Ella: In secondary school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my career, until someone suggested engineering. I’ve always enjoyed figuring out how things work, so engineering felt like a natural fit, something that just made sense for me. I found a college course in SETU that offered a common entry engineering option. It allowed me to discover five disciplines of engineering both in the built environment (civil and sustainable) and engineering technology (electrical, electronic and automation) in my first year. I ultimately chose electrical engineering to major in for my final three years.
Could you tell us bit about your training programme?
Ella: I am currently on the 2024 Kirby graduate programme; this is a fantastic programme for new mechanical and electrical engineers, providing a broad understanding of various aspects of engineering that we’ll encounter throughout our careers. As part of my graduate programme, I am required to produce 10 reports – eight of these will be mandatory topics such as lighting, containment, earthing and cabling, and the final two on topics of my choice. I’ll also have short placements with other departments such as EHS, Commercial, Planning and Procurement. These rotations allow us to appreciate the collaborative effort required to bring a project to life.
Sarah: The apprenticeship is made up of seven phases. Phases 1,3,5, and 7 are on-site training, while phases 2,4, and 6 are classroom-based. I’ve found I get the most benefit from learning on-site as I’m a visual learner.
Would you recommend it to others?
Sarah: I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone. I was honestly surprised at how much I liked it. I was worried, being a girl, that I might face challenges working in a male-dominated industry, but everyone has been so nice and treats you the same as anyone else. People just want you to learn and understand you’re just starting out. If anyone’s thinking about an apprenticeship, I’d say just give it a go.
Ella: Absolutely. I’d recommend a career at Kirby to anyone considering working in engineering. The opportunities for growth and development are next level both during the graduate programme and long into a senior engineer position.
What has been the favourite bit to date?
Ella: I don’t think I would be able to pick a single favourite moment from my time with Kirby so far. On my journey to date, I have had to chance to meet and work alongside some amazing people who have all helped, supported and thought me invaluable information, getting me to the engineer I am today. I’ve also been fortunate to live and work in beautiful European cities, which has been an amazing experience both professionally and personally.
Sarah: My favourite part of the apprenticeship is being active and moving all day. I’m not great at sitting still, so I enjoy working towards a goal.
Why should people consider a career in engineering?
Ella: Engineering is a very rewarding career. Watching large-scale projects evolve from ideas on a paper to fully operational facilities is incredibly satisfying; this is especially true in a world that is constantly changing and innovating.
Sarah: Engineering is essential to our daily lives and can improve people’s quality of life. There are so many branches of engineering that, if you’re in any way interested at all, you’re sure to find something that suits you.
To apply for Kirby’s apprenticeship and graduate programmes, or women in engineering scholarships go to:
