Apprenticeship Awards 2007

December Launch Event

British Gas apprentice

Sheena Anker

Sheena Anker, 20, left college in 2004 with 10 GCSEs, three A levels and an AS level. She began a Criminology and Creative Writing degree at Kingston University in September 2004.

But within days of starting her degree she knew it wasn’t right for her – and left a year later. She then decided to join British Gas’s Apprenticeship programme, starting in July 2006.

“When I left college everyone else seemed to be going to uni so I followed suit,” explains Sheena. “But I knew almost straight away it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t that into sitting at my desk and studying. I’ve always liked practical things, like sorting out a computer that’s not working or a toilet that doesn’t flush. I like to be the person who fixes things and gets feedback and appreciation for helping people.”

Sheena is now a third of the way through her year-long Technical Engineering Apprenticeship. She spends part of her time studying and the rest working in customers’ houses alongside other engineers. Her role can include anything from servicing boilers to mending leaking radiators.

“It’s perfect for me,” she says. “The combination of theory and the practical side appeals to me. I like the fact that I’m earning money and also have the security of knowing I’ll have a job at the end of my Apprenticeship. I feel very happy to be well on my way to having a good career, whereas at university I didn’t know where I’d be at the end of it. I wouldn’t mind working my way up at British Gas in the future but I feel that the training I’m getting could lead to anything. The world’s my oyster now.”

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