Amy McDonald
Modern Apprenticeship
Electrical Installation – SECTT
“When I was looking for work I tried office jobs but knew that that just wasn’t for me. When I saw the electrical apprenticeship position advertised with Aberdeenshire Council I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.”
Amy McDonald is close to completing her electrical apprenticeship with SECTT* and NESCol. She has been shortlisted as a finalist for the NESCol Apprentice of the Year awards.
Amy has always been practically minded from a young age. Her grandad was an electrician so being around him clearly influenced her future career direction.
She said, “When I left school I went to College and studied the NC in Electrical Engineering (SCQF Level 6). Afterwards when I was looking for work I tried office jobs but knew that that just wasn’t for me. When I saw the electrical apprenticeship position advertised with Aberdeenshire Council I applied and was lucky enough to be chosen.”
Amy works as part of a team who go into vacant council houses to strip, reinsulate, rewire and upgrade properties. She is the only female within the team consisting of joiners, plasterers, painters and electricians. She enjoys the work especially the second fix.
She explains “The second fix is the most enjoyable part of my job. After we’ve wired it the joiners come in and then we go back in and install the accessories and test the installation.”
Amy now has to complete her Final Integrated Competence Assessment (FICA) and after that gain the experience to become an approved electrician.
*Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust