My name is Ayrush Chetalbash, and I come from Bulgaria. After I graduated high school, I enrolled at Blagoevgrad to continue my education. I started at my current company as a Forklift Operator, a few months later I was offered a position in the maintenance department because I had mentioned in my CV about my mechanical background and skills.
After six months of working in maintenance department I was asked if I’m interested in starting an apprenticeship. Of course I was unsure back then, because my written and spoken English wasn’t good, but I realise it was a perfect way to start my professional development here in England.I chose MidKent College as it was recommended as a great place to learn, I also liked the Maintenance and Operations Engineering Technician course. I am passionate about this field of engineering, and I want to develop professionally.
I was 18 years old when for first time I visited England, at that time I was studying at university in Bulgaria. A few years later in 2020 I decided to move to England for more than just seasonal work or holiday, I wanted to stay.
For the last four months in Bulgaria I was technician in a small car garage. I moved to England because the salary was low, and I was looking for professional development into engineering.
I would say that, in the beginning of the course I had a different expectation. The educational process in Bulgaria is different, and in combination with my not so good language skills I found it very difficult at the start of the course. Thanks to the professional attitude of the teachers, and hard work I improved my language, the importance of industry health and safety regulations, knowledge about engineering theories and principles relative to their occupation, combined with a lot of practical experience.
As I said before, there were many challenges. Probably one of the biggest for me was to improve my language while keeping up with the education process. To overcome every challenge, I had to remain focused on my goals and do what needed to be done.
This whole experience of the apprenticeship helped me develop my skills, confidence professional attitude.
I was quickly recognised for my problem-solving abilities and moved to the workshop team where I progressed in terms of tasks and overall accountability of projects. I was recognised by my manager and placed onto the apprenticeship programme, where I have been promoted to the role of Multiskilled Engineer Apprentice. Whilst undertaking my apprenticeship I have been able to complete various courses such as the 18th Edition electrical accreditation.
The apprenticeship has given me an appreciation of the variety of skills needed in the role and has helped me to take a systematic approach to learning, whilst also being able to demonstrate my own skills at work.
The apprenticeship has helped me to build my confidence in my abilities and has most importantly really helped me to develop my language and communication skills with likeminded individuals.
My goals and aspirations have always stayed the same.
After completion I will be promoted to the role of Multi-skilled Engineer where I will take on more complex tasks and projects. I would like to further my skillset by completing a degree level course in engineering. In my country we have an expression, ‘’The top is not a place, but only a direction’’ I hope that makes the same sense here.
Advice I would give to others going for an apprenticeship is - go for it!It is a great adventure that leaves me wanting more….
