This exciting recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of engineering and construction professionals through high-quality apprenticeship opportunities and our wider in-house Early Careers Development Programme. 

Nick currently attends Sheffield Hallam University one day a week as part of his Electrical & Electronic Degree alongside his role at Waldeck. 

We caught up with Nick to find out more about his career journey so far: 

Hi Nick! Please can you tell us more about why you chose an apprenticeship to further your education?  

Engineering has always been a passion of mine, and I followed this up with a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Engineering, I have been an Electrical degree apprentice at Waldeck for almost 3 years whilst studying my Electrical & Electronic Degree. I chose the apprenticeship route as this would apply my engineering knowledge to solving problems and providing significant input to engineering designs.

Furthermore, being exposed to more challenging projects would further develop my engineering knowledge and management skills. 

The apprenticeship route provides me with hands on experience which increases my rate of development compared to university degrees full time. My university modules apply to different sectors at Waldeck and encourages me to become a multi skilled engineer. 

How have you demonstrated your commitment to personal development? 

I personally believe I have demonstrated a strong commitment to my academic and professional development. So far, I have achieved the following:  

  • Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Engineering with Distinction 
  • Achieved Professional Registration (EngTech) 
  • Completed three years of university studies 
  • Volunteered as a STEM Ambassador for two years 
  • Enrolled in Waldeck’s Early Careers Programme for two years to aid in Professional Registration 
  • Provided mentorship as a Work Buddy to a new apprentice engineer for six months 
  • Provided mentorship as a Work Buddy to work experience engineer for 3 months  
  • Named a finalist for Apprentice of the Year at Sheffield Hallam University 
  • Named a finalist for CIBSE Apprentice of the Year  
  • Acted as a Course Representative at Sheffield Hallam University for three years 

These achievements and milestones within my relatively short career, would not be possible without the support of Waldeck. Furthermore, this demonstrates how beneficial in choosing the apprenticeship route is proving to be. For those contemplating the apprenticeship route, this shows apprentices are extremely essential to a workplace and the dedication that company employees provide for apprentices to succeed.

 

What are future career aspirations? 

For a short time target, I will be aiming to complete my university degree at the beginning of 2026. Linking this in with my 3-4 years working experience, becoming an intermediate engineer would be the overall goal. I have achieved EngTech status through the IET and would like to continue my professional registration journey.  

I have targeted Chartership as my main goal and I aspire to achieve this before 27 years of age. With the choice and support of an apprenticeship I believe this is an achievable goal. I relish the challenge of achieving a goal of this scale, but the early support from Waldeck has formed my pathway for this achievement.  

Waldeck aspires to develop younger engineers into complete and flourishing engineers and as the company expands, it is imperative that younger engineers are developed to a more senior level, and I am close to achieving this status further cementing how beneficial apprentices are to a company. 

From what you’ve seen so far – would you recommend someone starting an apprenticeship and why? 

Absolutely! The rate of personal development is significantly enhanced compared to a full-time university degree. From day 1, you are exposed to new scenarios, new technologies and new methods of problem solving which is crucial for the apprentices’ development.  

Apprenticeships are a way to become quickly integrated into a team to learn alongside professionals within the engineering industry. From where I started in 2022 to where I am now in 2025, I can see my own growth and development to become a trusted member of the team, leading projects and laying down the foundations for a successful career. Comparing this to full time university, there would be limited exposure to scenarios that I have been involved in from an early stage, delaying the rate of growth.  I achieved the same degree compared to someone who attended full time, but I have over 3 years’ experience within the industry, and this valuable experience to any company.  

If I had the choice of being 19 years old again and searching for my engineering career, I would still be prioritising obtaining an apprenticeship to form my career path. From the STEM events I have done in schools, the number of students wanting to do an apprenticeship is increasing because they are seeing the benefits of an apprenticeship which significantly outweigh the benefits of a full-time degree. 

We also heard from Jane Thompson, Nick’s Apprenticeship Coach at Sheffield Hallam University, who shared:  

Nick is in the final year of his degree and approaching his end-point assessment within the next 15 months. His degree average to date is a first-class degree, with excellent performance across a range of academic modules. I meet with him and his mentor regularly, and the positivity and enthusiasm he has for his work are always evident.  

When I meet with Nick and his mentor, I am always impressed by the range of projects he has worked on both locally in South Yorkshire and nationally. He is taking an increasingly leading role on projects and excelling in what he does. He is setting strong foundations for his next role as an intermediate engineer and is always keen to take on new responsibilities. He proactively extends his knowledge, skills, and behaviours and looks for new opportunities to develop, such as taking on wider financial responsibilities for fee proposals. In just 2.5 years, Nick has gone from having limited electrical engineering work experience to being well respected at work and university, able to lead a range of complex engineering projects with professionalism.  

He has delivered high-quality work within timescales and received praise for his strong communication on-site, leadership, and influence, as well as for increasing team capacity by taking workload off more senior engineers.  

This was supported by Stephen Rowe, an Associate Director at Waldeck and Nick’s Line Manager and Mentor: 

Since Nick started with us and during his probatory period I could see that Nick had the makings of a great all round engineer. Since then, Nick has developed his skills to become proficient in BIM and electrical calculation software which he carries out with little, or no supervision and the end results produced are to an exceptionally high standard.  

Nick has also proved himself acting as the lead electrical engineer on some legacy projects and has proved that he can communicate with other professionals and manage the design team and client’s expectations.  

As Nick has developed as an engineer, I am now finding that he has become quite autonomous and proactive in his approach to engineering. I can give him a task and he is able to get on with the task until it is complete with very minimal supervision and as always, the end results are to a high standard.  

Nick has a fantastic attitude to work, collaboration and his own personal development, and I wish him every success as he continues this journey. 

Waldeck have also been shortlisted for SME Employer of the Year, find out more here >