Engineering a career that changes lives: My Modern Apprenticeship story

Building a career my way

To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2026, I’m sharing my story to show why choosing a different career path was the best decision I ever made.

I always loved engineering subjects at school and even studied civil engineering at college. However, I quickly realised a desk-oriented role wasn’t for me. I wanted to dive straight into the working world and gain real-life experience. After feeling a bit lost for a year, I discovered an NHS Scotland Modern Apprenticeship that ticked every box.
Today, I work as a Modern Apprentice prosthetic and orthotic technician. 

In my first 2 years, I spent 3 days a week in the workshop and 2 days at college. The best part was the direct transfer of skills. What I learned in the classroom on a Wednesday, I applied directly to my work on a Thursday.

A typical day on the workshop floor

Now in my final year, my day starts at 8 am. The team uses a large whiteboard to track scheduled and ongoing jobs. We decide together who will tackle each task, whether that means working on a Boston Brace or doing detailed leatherwork. Between my own tasks, I shadow experienced technicians working on complex metalwork so I can assist in the future.

Working in this environment requires strong communication skills, as there are always multiple jobs happening at once. Everyone in the workshop must collaborate to meet strict deadlines and high standards.

The emotional impact of my role

I quickly discovered the positive impact my work has. Early in my Modern Apprenticeship, my managers had me follow a patient's journey from start to finish. I remember them arriving completely unable to walk, which was genuinely tough to see. Weeks later,

I watched that same person walk out of the clinic using a prosthetic leg that I had manufactured myself. That overwhelming emotion proved I was exactly where I needed to be.

I’ve had amazing support from my team from day one. Nobody makes you feel bad when things go wrong. Realising that making mistakes is just how you learn helped me improve my skills so much faster.

Looking at my future career path, I want to keep levelling up. My goal is to get the experience needed to become an advanced technician, a technical team lead, or even a workshop manager.

My advice for future Modern Apprentices

One of the biggest myths about Modern Apprenticeships is that they are only for people who didn’t do well at school. That is not the case. Many programmes actually involve gaining advanced, industry-recognised qualifications while you work. It’s a good way to build real-world skills and fast-track your career.

If you’re considering your post-school options, my honest advice is:

"Be brave and go for it. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Understand that each time you’ll learn from it and get a wee bit better too."

For me, the best thing about being a Modern Apprentice is getting paid to learn. I’m building a solid career without having to delay entering the workforce.