Cheryl Sanders Finning's First Qualified Female Construction Apprentice
Finning UK and Ireland qualified apprentice, Cheryl Sanders, talks about her experience of the Finning apprenticeship scheme and the future it has opened up for her in the exciting world of Caterpillar equipment service support.
21 year old Cheryl Sanders of Cheslyn Hay, outside Cannock said: "My journey into the Finning apprenticeship scheme first started in school around about the age of 15. This was when I was first asked the career question of 'What job do you want to do?'
"As I had always liked tinkering with my bike and helping my dad with his car, I knew I was much more of a practical person and in particular I didn’t feel that my strengths were in traditional classroom based subjects.
"Having been supported by my dad who is also a very practical hands on person, I knew I could be an individual that could really take on the lads in what is traditionally a male dominated industry. I can remember to the day driving past the Finning head office with my mum and saying, 'I bet it would be really good fun to work there' and then her saying, 'well go for it - what’s stopping you?'
"So with the full support of my family and careers advisor at school, who got the apprentice application form from Finning for me, in 2004 I applied to join the scheme. With some help together with my completed CV and application form, I was on my way to becoming the first ever female Finning Construction apprentice to work in their Cannock head office.
"Following what was a very thorough interview, where I completed a series of paper based tests and ‘hands on’ practical exercises, I was shortlisted to the final stage of the interview process. By then, I was determined to beat what was some very stiff competition and being the only remaining female applicant in the bunch, I certainly had an extra boost when I knew that I would be a real first for the company.
"Thankfully I was selected for the penultimate test, which was a weeks’ work experience. This was aimed at seeing whether I would actually enjoy the job. I can remember my supervisor Roger calling me to say that I had been accepted and from then on in the real challenge began.
"Even though they explain what you are letting yourself in for, you soon realise that the skills and support you are given is far more one to one and so for me the learning curve was so much easier.
"The first year for me was all about adjusting to the big step having joined straight from school as I was only 16. It was here that mixing with other people my own age and from all around the country, who also came to head office to join the apprenticeship programme, made a real difference to me and helped to boost my confidence.
"Having learnt the basics in the first year with practical training in the workshop on Caterpillar equipment and theory in the classroom, the second year was where the apprenticeship became more technical and involved. What was great about this year was the introduction of blocks or what you might call modules, where you were introduced to the different tasks you would be required to perform. For example, in one module I spent time in the engine servicing bays where we would strip and rebuild engines from a variety of machines from large trucks to mini excavators.
"Later on I then moved to the field service module, which is really what the name implies, going out and shadowing a field service engineer to customers sites. This for me was one of the most exciting modules and I really enjoyed it. I remember going to a quarry with a colleague and being introduced to the guy onsite, who looked particularly shocked to see I was the apprentice. What was the funniest part of this was his tone and language. It instantly changed and really made me laugh, as I just count myself as one of the lads. That was certainly not the last time I had that experience, as people are definitely not used to seeing a female service engineer and I am sure it won’t be the last, but it always makes me laugh.
"By the time the second year had finished, I felt confident and had really got into my stride, making friends with a lot of colleagues, young and old. Personally I felt like a real part of the Finning family, which people may joke about, but it is really what makes working here special. All of the lads have been really supportive and I never felt that being female was an issue; it is more like I have 30 uncles all helping me out! All this support and encouragement in my second year helped me obtain something I am very proud of, the 'apprentice of the year award' an annual prize that everyone aspires to.
"So when I entered the third year, it was really all about specialising and also the technical elements of the job. I spent a lot of time in the electrical section, working in the bays and the classroom to understand this crucial area. This was definitely my favourite part of the apprenticeship, as it really is the part of the programme that is the future of how I will be working with Caterpillar equipment. Understanding and interpreting diagnostics is critical to getting a machine back up and running. Certainly this will increase ever more as the technology continues to advance at a pace and this is why you need apprentice programmes like the one at Finning, as you just can’t learn these specifics in the classroom at a college, because they are never going to have these kinds of resources available.
Getting back to the apprenticeship itself, after the third year, (and the scheme has now been changed as it has all been brought in-house to the purpose built Finning Academy onsite) I spent a further year supported by the training team, but getting more ‘on the job’ experience. By this time I was 20 and had completed the apprenticeship scheme. This was rewarded with a full time job and a nice pay rise and I had a great graduation ceremony day with my fellow apprentices.
"I now work as a construction service engineer, what this means is I spend my time working in the main workshop at our Cannock head office with a great team servicing, maintaining and repairing Caterpillar equipment from a range of customers. It always makes me feel proud of what I do when we finish a job where equipment comes in and looks like it is on its last legs and then it leaves us looking like new.
"On a personal level, I have a lot of friends that took the 6th form route and some are just trying to enter the job market. I now have over 5 years of experience and have been paid for all this time. I have also experienced working around people in a fast moving environment. I certainly don’t regret the not going out with mates on a Wednesday night because I had work the next day, as I now have a really great job.
"I now realise just how lucky I am as a lot of my friends are currently unemployed and really struggling to even get an interview for the very basic of jobs. I know I have worked hard and will continue to do so, but what I also know is I made the right choice at the right time and really put my heart and soul into making my start in life that much easier.
"In conclusion, in my short career to date, I have had a lot of memorable times and in particular the day trips I went on throughout my apprenticeship to sites, Caterpillar and fun days out. Although being the first female apprentice to successfully complete her apprenticeship at Finning has put me in a bit of a spotlight, I believe that all the apprentices at Finning deserve recognition for the great work, support and friendship they have shown me.
"I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to anyone, no matter what their age or sex, but I will say this, Finning is all about merit and ability and if you want to follow in my footsteps hard work and determination is essential.”