Erin Jappy

"The equipment that Erin calibrates helps to provide measurements that must be reported in line with health and safety regulations. This fits with the ‘Coordinator’ type. Due to the legal requirements, staying on track for due dates is essential for Erin, so she needs to be organised, and to work methodically, which matches well with the ‘Quality Controller’ type. Erin is also friendly and practical, and works mentoring apprentices and trades staff on a daily basis. They have varying degrees of experience and enjoy learning from each other. This demonstrates the ‘Trainer’ type. Erin believes that these are important traits required for her job role as well as setting a good example to those coming up behind her. "

"Erin is a Senior Instrument Technician at a former nuclear research site. A typical day at work involves the calibration of instruments that record temperature, pressure, level and flow, as well as Radiological Protection Equipment that can detect contamination and radiation. She also organises paperwork and tracks due dates for maintenance. The instruments that Erin works with are important for detecting contamination and radiation in the areas where she works. These instruments can be programmed to specific alarm levels tailored to each building. The tracking of maintenance due dates is vital in order to maintain strict timelines to ensure that the instruments are safe to use.Erin finds it really exciting to work alongside different job roles as a team within different projects on site. Due to the specific nature of working on a nuclear plant, there are very challenging situations arising that need to be overcome; where safety is paramount. It is a very diverse and complex place to work, but the opportunities for problem solving are endless. No two projects are ever the same, and they involve people from all different job roles to be involved and to work together. Erin loves seeing how someone from the laboratories or environmental team can provide more information in order for the task to be completed. "

"Erin’s parents always told her she could be anything she wanted to be, and do anything she wanted to do. She originally wanted to be a midwife until she realised that the subjects she enjoyed more were technical-based. She used her subject choices to apply for local apprenticeships when she was in her 5th year of high school. She was rejected by three different companies so decided to stay on at school for another year. During this year, she completed Higher Maths, English and Graphic Communication before applying for apprenticeships again. Her persistence paid off and she secured a place with Dounreay Site Restoration Limited as an instrument apprentice in 2009. She then continued her studies locally, funded by the company. This allowed her to learn and earn whilst still living at home. This was important to her because she did not see herself going to university. Over time she has progressed from Craft to Technician and on to Senior Technician. Erin was motivated to prove that she was capable as a female within the engineering industry and to be her best self. She is competitive with herself and always wants to do better, achieve higher and learn more. Having started he career with an apprenticeship, she is inspired by those around her, and enjoys seeing other people's success which drives her to also do her best. She has learned to appreciate people having different skill sets and varying degrees of experience, and finds that there is always an opportunity to learn."

"In her spare time, Erin likes to travel with her husband and spend time with their families. They both work full-time and so try to make the most of time off and to see family at nights and weekends. They enjoy going on everything from city breaks to London to long haul trips to America. Erin has family in America so it is a great opportunity to holiday there. Through her job, Erin also has opportunities to visit other nuclear sites for benchmarking visits as well as conferences within the Dounreay Women’s Network.Having started at Dounreay as an apprentice, Erin feels that in the 9 years she has been employed, she has progressed rapidly, and there is still room to grow. Erin would like to undertake the training needed to fulfil a more supervisory role, paving the way for other trades staff with ambition and being able to guide them and offer advice when asked. In the future, she can see herself continuing to be a positive role model for individuals within STEM careers. She wants to be someone that people can look up to and aspire to be, knowing that she has tried her best. It is important for Erin to be seen as a role model and to know that she is following the path that she chose, for personal fulfilment and development."