Knowing that she is playing her part in the global supply chain of goods is part of the drive for Maisie Barnard.

The first year electromechanical technician apprentice with DP World Southampton hasn’t looked back since starting her apprenticeship.

Maisie is in the process of completing her initial off the job training at the Southampton Engineering Training Association, based at Millbrook in Southampton, known locally as SETA.

It has been offering accredited, industry-recognised training to an advanced level for over 50 years.

When at school she felt the main focus was to go on to college and then on to University.

Maisie knew this really wasn’t the path for her and applied for one of the engineering apprenticeship vacancies at DP World Southampton.

During her time at SETA she has studied various engineering operations across a variety of trades, all providing the foundation competence for the multi-skilled role she will be doing once out on site at one of the UK’s largest container terminals.

She is looking forward to being part of the team vital to maintaining the equipment needed to provide container handling services to some of the biggest container ships in the world.

Maisie said “I want to complete my apprenticeship, including my Level 3 BTEC qualification, and go on to hopefully do the Level 4 HNC.

“I would love to be able to climb up through the ranks at DP World, as I know that there is room for development.”

Many of DP World Southampton’s past apprentices have achieved promotion and are now in supervisory and management positions as there are excellent career progression opportunities.

They have been sending apprentices to SETA for practical workshop training for many years as they know the quality of the engineering training provided is second to none, and that apprenticeships are tailored to suit their own business needs.

This goes a long way to ensuring that the apprentices gain the necessary skills, knowledge and attributes to be able to solve the challenges of maintaining the wide range of complex mechanical, electrical and electronic equipment at Southampton Docks.

When out on site, Maisie will be following in the footsteps of Paige Rusdale who is now in the final year of her apprenticeship. On an average day the team will perform normal and preventative maintenance tasks, repair work, defect jobs or working with contractors. All things are taken in their stride including working at heights with the cranes and straddle carriers that are seen traversing around the docks.

Paige, who was the SETA Apprentice of the Year in 2019, said: “I enjoy doing difficult jobs that require a lot of thinking and work to complete – seeing the machine go back to work once the maintenance job is complete gives a great level of job satisfaction.”

Both apprentices also took part in the Women’s Engineering Society virtual conference earlier in the year flying the flag for women in engineering. They would both highly recommend apprenticeships to anyone wanting to “earn while they learn.”

A SETA Workshop Taster Day will take place on November 13. Find out more at setatraining.co.uk

Southampton City Council is launching a major drive across the city to secure 100 work opportunities for residents in 100 days.

Titled ‘100 in 100’, the campaign is another facet to the council’s Get Southampton Moving message and, following an end to the national lockdown, heralds a novel way to boost the local economy.