Becka Balch is studying the HNC apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at our Maidstone Campus. Find out more about being a mature student and apprentice, and why her line manager nominated her, below.
Congratulating Becka, her line manager at calfordseaden in Orpington Bob Terry, Head of Structural Engineering, said: “We are incredibly proud of Becka’s commitment to promoting women in engineering and how she has embraced College and her working life. Becka started at calfordseaden almost three years ago as a secretary for the Structural and Civil Engineering team. It became clear that she wanted to be more involved with projects, gain more technical knowledge of our industry and to work alongside our engineers. After discussing her options, we found an apprenticeship with MidKent College to support her new role as an engineering technician. We look forward to what the future holds for Becka as an engineer!”
Her lecturer, Charlotte Brown said: “Becka spent her first year on a skill build course to increase her knowledge, skills and behaviours ready for the HNC in Civil Engineering. She has always stood out from her peers due to her enthusiasm for civil engineering and her willingness to learn. Becka also represented MidKent College at the CIOB student challenge. It was remarkable that she not only had the confidence to work with students from the College that she had not met before but also to present confidently to a room full of senior directors from Tier 1 construction and civil engineering companies.
Becka is relishing the challenges her course brings her alongside her day-to-day responsibilities in the workplace. "It has been a complete pleasure to complete a reference for her to apply for a QUEST scholarship through the Institution of Civil Engineers. I look forward to working with Becka over the next two years and following her career development.”
Becka told us: “Coming back to College has been a shock to the system because the last time I was in education was 2005, but the lecturers were great and helpful. They really push you forward in your course. To start with I was the only woman but now there are three. My employers have been brilliant too and my team has been very supportive and willing to help me with questions and queries.”
Becka was also a finalist for the College's prestigious annual Student Awards ceremony in June, and was a finalist in both The Green Award and The Digital Excellent Award!
Congratulations Becka.
Thinking about becoming or hiring an apprentice? Find out more here.
