Engineer Hannah breaking boundaries as apprentice

Perhaps it was fate that Hannah Davies would end up flourishing in a practical career that allows her to be hands-on and learn new skills. 

After dropping out of university, Hannah wasn’t sure what her future career might be and with so many options out there, it was difficult to work out where to go next. Since school, the 27-year-old had toyed with the idea of engineering, but life took a different direction ending up with her working for a young person’s charity in Gloucestershire, delivering the Princes Trust programme to 16-25’s out of education and employment. 
 
Upon seeing Bromford advertise for an apprentice multiskilled engineer, Hannah was sold on finally pursuing the career in engineering she had always pondered. 
 
“I loved working with young people even though emotionally the role could sometimes be draining, but after seeing Bromford’s advert I decided now was the time to make the change,” Hannah explained. “I’m a practical learner so when I saw this position, it seemed to tick all of the boxes. 
 
“The other thing that stood out was the pay – Bromford’s apprenticeship pay is incredibly good compared to most, so if you’re looking for a career change and still have bills to pay, it’s a really attractive option.” 
 
Hannah is almost half way through a three year Level 3 Property Maintenance course and works alongside mentor Roy Baker in the empty homes team. She is thriving in the male dominated environment and recently secured a place on Bromford’s Aspiring Leadership Programme (ALP) to develop her skills even further. 
 
“I was definitely nervous to start and I don’t think I realised how huge the scope of the role was,” Hannah went on. “It was always going to be a challenge for me, considering I had no prior experience or knowledge, but everyone has been so supportive and really taken me under their wing. I’m loving it.” 
 
And although her role involves the upgrade of existing empty homes, Hannah even finds time to go the extra mile for customers. 
 
She added: “One day I can be painting, wallpaper stripping, and installing a new bathroom, the next I can be plastering and tiling. I even ended up reading to two customers’ children on one lunchbreak recently which was unexpected but so nice.”