Kim Lewis

"Kim uses modelling software to create unique designs and solutions to engineering problems for confidential government projects.Kim is the ‘Developer’ and ‘Investigator’ types and she needs to be creative and imaginative in order to invent solutions to very individual requirements. She may be designing a new component or a way to manufacture a component. She also needs to be approachable and easy to communicate with to ensure she meets customers’ needs as fully as possible, but is also confident enough to explain 'why' if their expectations cannot be met. She is also the ‘Manager’ type and needs to be organised when considering cost, time, method of manufacture, disposal and safety during the design process. "

"Kim works for the government, supporting projects using her engineering skills. Much of the work that Kim does is confidential so it is difficult to explain exactly what she is making! Kim creates engineering drawings from models, and checks them for use and manufacture, ensuring the designs meet all regulatory requirements. She says she creates a lot of formed mandrels, jigs, vacuum pots and fixtures to support products during manufacture and inspection processes. She may be preparing drawings for products that will be manufactured or for tools and equipment that will help in the manufacture of engineering components. As part of her apprenticeship she was tasked with designing a method to remotely attach tamper-proof labels to pots containing radioactive substances, she had to consider both the safety of the worker, the effect of the radiation as well as the actual application process. These are the types of considerations she applies to her work every day.A typical day for her involves editing and designing using modelling software, reviewing the design with key stakeholders to ensure it meetsrequirements and creating the engineering drawings to ensure manufacture is as easy and cost-effective as possible, withoutaffecting the end function of the product."

"Kim loves to paint and she considered doing an art degree. Instead engineering became the route she took, which has allowed her to be creative whilst also earning a steady wage and building a career. Kim felt it was important to have an income throughout her training, and that an apprenticeship can be more valuable to companies than having a degree but no work experience. Kim did an advanced apprenticeship after her A-Levels, working for a bespoke engineering firm. On completing her apprenticeship, she was on a starting salary of £24,000. Kim spent a year learning all the aspects of the business before becoming a Junior Mechanical Design Engineer. She then moved on to the position of Tooling Engineer in her current company, where she was offered the opportunity to study for a degree one day a week with all her fees paid. She was promoted into her current role after 2 years."

"Kim has a 1-year-old son, so in her spare time she loves getting out and about with him and her husband. She also enjoys spending time with friends, watching films and reading books. Kim hopes to one day buy a house with a garage so she can set up her own mini machine shop and teach her son how to work the equipment! She also hopes to become a Chartered Engineer which will open up a number of opportunities for her and her family."