Aiyana Sood completed a Level 3 Design and Draughting scholarship at Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge College (previously called Richmond upon Thames College).

She particularly liked the mixture of different elements on the programme. “I am so glad I chose this course. It has more units than the vocational course and involves a lot of practical work.”

Aiyana knew from a young age that she wanted to be an engineer.  She said: “I thought I would be the only woman in my class but there’s actually quite a few of us. It is nice to know there are other women out there who want to be engineers.”

She encourages other women who are considering engineering as a career path.  She said: “Do what you want to do. Go for what you are passionate about.”

Her scholarship led to her being accepted onto a Level 4 HNC in Mechanical Engineering with Subsea7.

Bryn Acland completed the ECITB scholarship Level 3 Design and Draughting engineering scholarship at Harrow, Richmond & Uxbridge College (previously called Richmond upon Thames College).

He explained the programme included both electrical and mechanical while mainly focusing on design and draughting: “It integrates the knowledge and skills we learn into a vocational qualification.”

It enabled him to go straight onto a Level 4 HNC in Mechanical Engineering with Expo Technologies. He said: “Doing the ECITB scholarship massively helped me to get this.  I was recommended to the company by my tutor and was given an interview.  It probably would not have happened if I hadn’t been part of the ECITB scholarship course.”

He recommends the scholarship programme to others.  He said: “You learn all sorts of knowledge and skills in many areas of engineering and it’s a good way to begin a career in this field.”