Profile
Isobel Thomas
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About Me:
I am an aeronautical and manufacturing engineering degree apprenticeship at Airbus UK (everything and anything planes!). Specifically, I work with wings- one of the coolest parts, if I say so myself š! I love art, walking and spending time with friends.
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I’m from North Wales and went to sixth form to complete my A-Levels in Maths, Physics and Product Design. Eventually joining Airbus for a degree apprenticeship! I knew from a young age that I wanted to be an engineer, but with it being such a broad scope of an industry, I only narrowed it down to aeronautical at the start of my final year in Sixth Form!
I love art- drawing, bleach painting, digital… you name it! I love hobbies that relax me and allow me to express myself.
Also, I have a huge passion for travel! I’ve been to Sri Lanka to do community work, which was incredible.
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My pronouns are:
She/her/hers
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How I use Science in my work:
Every day I use Science- specifically Physics. Teachers say Physics is the heart of engineering- and it is totally true!
I use science like kinematics, momentum, structural science, and mass distribution almost every day. We especially need a good understanding of stress, strain etc due to it being a huge no-no in the aviation industry (stress = crack = big snap eventually!).
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My Work:
I’m currently completing a Level 2 NVQ (which has practical and theory work involved), and will soon begin a Level 4 NVQ and will begin placements on site as an engineer in different departments.
Alongside this, I’m also doing an aeronautical and manufacturing engineering degree with Swansea Uni!
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Currently I am completing a Level 2 NVQ, in which I do theory work and a practical assessment (a scanner mount bracket! This is an old part of a plane that used to hold a radar, however is no longer used on commercial Airbus aircraft).
In May, I will be starting on site to complete placements in design, quality and manufacturing engineering! This will also be completed with a Level 4 NVQ.
With it being a degree apprenticeship, I am also completing a degree in aeronautical and manufacturing engineering with Swansea University. This degree is along side working, so I have had to learn how to balance work loads in a healthy way!
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My Typical Day:
I wake up early, eat breakfast and head to work for 7:45am. Once at work, I either head to our classroom to do theory work or the workshop for metalwork. Then, I enjoy lunch with my colleagues and friends and head back to work afterwards. I clock out at 4pm and drive home.
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I start my day off waking up early (much earlier than Iād like to admit, but I like to have plenty of time in the morning! Not an early bird at all) and heading out to work. I begin work at 7:45am, and often begin doing theory paper work for an hour or so. In this paperwork, I answer questions on topics that span from types of fasteners used in wing skins up, to how we recycle waste, Ā and all the laws and regulations that we must follow (like wearing PPE- Personal Protective Equipment- to keep us safe at work). We then head to then workshop where we complete our metalwork assessment piece.
We have a few breaks throughout the day and lunch, where we all grab food together and hang out- my colleagues are lovely and we all get along, so enjoy eating lunch together and doing activities outside of work, like hiking! I continue work until 4pm, when I clock off
However, my Thursdays are a bit different. Thursdays are what we call an āacademic dayā, which is when we learn our degree content across different modules. We are set assignments from all to give us credit towards our final degree. I get a lie in on Thursdays, getting to work for 9am, but finish at 7pm- which surprisingly flies by when doing content that genuinely interests you!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I actually applied to take part in Iām and Engineer because I wanted to help and share my experience as a female engineering apprentice, rather than for the prize money. This is also the reason for me being a STEM ambassador, I am purely here to help others. In secondary school I truly wish someone had been there to give me guidance on my options instead of reaching 17 and panicking about a career path that I was too confused about and too indecisive to make. If I can provide some young people with a little support or even just comfort, then I feel I have done what I came here to do.
Having said this, if I were to win the prize money, I would focus on using it to create resources that help make engineering more accessible and understandable for students. Due to my mum being an SEND coordinator for a primary school, I have a real and fair understanding of how different students learn and understand in different ways, and I would produce resources that are tailored to this.
I would also like to support my old, local secondary school by contributing towards workshop tools and equipment. I remember being in that workshop and using tools for the first time, tools that I use daily now. It has shows me how important it is for all young people, whether theyād like to take a blue or white collar engineering position, to learn tooling and hand skills- it gives them a greater appreciation and understanding for what they or the shop floor workers are doing.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Relatable engineering apprentice
What did you want to be after you left school?
Designer of some formā¦ or a detective!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Nope, never. I was always goodā¦ apart from the time I forgot my calculator (spoiler alert- it was in my bag, I had just not checked under my lunch box!).
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Maybe a particle engineer or a graphic designer!
Who is your favourite singer or band?
My favourite singer is Tyler the Creator, and my favourite band is Slipknot or Dentonās.
What's your favourite food?
Mushroom risotto with bacon lardons
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
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