Caolam Donnelly, a 20-year-old from Belfast, traded in his sports ambitions for a fulfilling career in rail engineering. Inspired by the birth of his daughter, he sought a stable path with career growth potential. Now enrolled in a Level 2 Rail Engineering Apprenticeship, Caolam shares his experience and the valuable lessons he's learned from his career change.
Caolam Donnelly, a 20-year-old from Belfast , made a career change after completing a sports qualification following his GCSEs. Motivated by the birth of his daughter, Cleígha, two years ago, Caolam sought a path offering stable employment and career advancement opportunities. He decided to pursue a Level 2 Rail Engineering Apprenticeship with On Track Technicians (OTT), completing the qualification at South Eastern Regional College (SERC).
Caolam found OTT to be supportive of his work-life balance and praised the apprenticeship tutors for their extensive railway engineering experience. The apprenticeship program at SERC's Downpatrick Campus involves a full week of immersion each month, allowing for focused study on a complete unit of theory. Caolam expressed satisfaction with this format, finding it more beneficial than the traditional one-day-a-week approach. He values the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals and the comprehensive support provided during the program.Reflecting on his career switch, Caolam stated that he remains passionate about sports but doesn't regret his decision. He believes that students should be exposed to a wider range of career pathways to make informed choices about their future. He enjoys the work, particularly the engineering aspect, and aims to specialize in that area as he progresses. Caolam acknowledges the demanding nature of the on-site work and emphasizes the importance of teamwork in achieving success
Apprenticeship Career Change Rail Engineering Belfast On Track Technicians South Eastern Regional College
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