b'Partner News Autumn 2021 11Academicbuild things which solve issues for people. Rebecca also says she was able to draw onFurthermore, her lead role in carrying At Tharsus Im now solving those issues fora wealth of real-life experiences and ideasout the Competence training programme customers and designing products that willfrom other apprentices, hailing from a widewithin the Manufacturing team has brought help them in their respective markets. Im inrange of backgrounds. about significant change in the confidence, my dream job and I love it. I come to workability and drive of her colleagues. It has every day and want to make improvementsThe cohort for our class, which includedproven so successful that the plan is to now to the way we make products, improveother women, was great, they all madecascade this throughout the Tharsus group. efficiencies and effectiveness, increasinglearning a lot easier, especially during ourA testament to Rebeccas ability as well productivity, its what I really enjoy. group work. It allowed us to develop aas her profile within the business. Its both strong working relationship within the teamclear and disappointing that the gender Rebeccas determination to equip herselfand we are all still in contact. balance within engineering is far from being with the tools to continue developingaddressed at the rate it should be. her skills in engineering was supportedHead of Manufacturing at Tharsus, Gordon through the Universitys EngineeringRamsey, adds: Rebecca has demonstratedAs a business, we are attempting to Degree Apprenticeship programmea positive work ethic, initiative, maturity andchange this and have great examples of that she joined in 2019. The programmeresilience throughout her apprenticeship.female engineers who perform at a high consists of three pathways, ManufacturingHer abilities have enabled her to play alevel within their role, but additionally bring Engineering Practice, Electronic andsignificant role in developing manufacturingbalance and an alternative view to the team Electrical Engineering Practice and Designcells and in improving quality, process andperspective. The aim of engineers is to Engineering Practice. Rebecca choseefficiency in each case.develop solutions to satisfy the demands the Manufacturing Engineering Practiceof society: happiness, comfort and mobility, pathway as it suited the work she is doinghow can any business believe they can at Tharsus, developing improvements onachieve this in the absence of a workforce the production line. representative of society?Women can achieve great Rebecca explained: We are looking atSo, what is the best advice how we can make the line more efficientthings in this industry. Rebecca has been given to help and effective; what can we do to makeher on her journey to success?life easier for the production operatorsAt Tharsus, we use the ethos of best when theyre building a new product? Theidea wins, this really helps in group forums improvements could be the way in whichwhere we are trying to problem solve. It the line is laid out, the product is delivered,doesnt matter who comes up with the the timing they have available, theres abest solution, it could be the apprentice or whole remit to consider. company director - we will all roll with it to ensure success. Apprentices like Rebecca are employees who spend most of their time in theAnd what is her own advice to workplace, supported by dedicated studynew apprentices entering the time with the University. Learning whileengineering industry?working, then applying that learning backDo not to be afraid of shouting up about into the workplace. Rebecca spent everyan idea, because sometimes a fresh pair of Friday on the Universitys Sir Tom Cowieeyes on a situation really helps. We have Campus, at St Peters, on Sunderlandshad so much success following this ethos.riverside.How about the future?The University is currently working withRebecca says: I am really enjoying the more than 60 employers, including Tharsusrole I have currently and so proud I have across the region, delivering successfulachieved a degree while continuing to work. higher and degree apprenticeshipThe balance between the two really suited programmes. me. My boss always asks me what I want to do next - perhaps a Post Graduate Engineer I cannot recommend a degreeApprenticeship at Sunderland could be on apprenticeship enough, says Rebecca.the cards, well just have to see.Its given me the tools I need to apply the theoretical knowledge I learn at university into the workplace, and Ive seen the benefits immediately. Im a much more well-rounded individual - it makes me feel good. The work I am doing is not only helping myself but helping the business as a whole.'