As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we are celebrating the success of former East Leake Academy student Ewan, who stepped into the world of engineering through a prestigious apprenticeship with global tyre manufacturer Pirelli.
After completing his GCSEs and A levels in PE, physics and geography in summer 2024, Ewan decided he wanted a break from traditional classroom learning and formal examinations. Instead, he chose a more practical and hands-on pathway, successfully securing a Level 3 mechatronic engineering apprenticeship.
Mechatronic engineering is an exciting and fast-growing field that combines mechanical engineering, electronics and computer science, playing a vital role in modern manufacturing and robotics industries. Ewan’s apprenticeship spans four years, giving him both academic knowledge and real-world industry experience.
In the first two years, Ewan has divided his time equally between working on site at Pirelli and studying at Derby College, based at the Toyota site. The next two years will see him fully immersed at Pirelli, where he will continue to develop specialist skills while building a professional portfolio of work.
For Ewan, the apprenticeship route offered several clear advantages: he will benefit from practical learning with minimal exams, earns a salary while training, and gains valuable industry experience without the financial commitment of university fees.
For many students choosing an apprenticeship offers challenges: compared to university, there are often fewer holidays, early morning starts, and the work can sometimes be physically demanding. Expectations remain high, the course is challenging, and the application process is competitive — mirroring many aspects of higher education. Nonetheless, Ewan will still achieve a recognised qualifications once his apprenticeship is complete.
Ewan’s journey highlights the growing appeal of apprenticeships as a valuable alternative to university, offering young people the chance to earn, learn and build a career simultaneously. During National Apprenticeship Week, East Leake Academy is proud to showcase pathways that empower students to choose the future that is right for them.
East Leake Academy runs a rich and diverse professional development and careers programme throughout the year that includes a range of visiting speakers, opportunities and trips to give students great exposure to opportunities post 16.
