Biography
When did I decide to become a Chartered Engineer? The route I took - yours will be different
Becoming a Chartered Engineer wasn’t the first career on my mind, first I wanted to be an Astronaut (but who doesn’t?) after watching the shuttle launches in the 80’s, but I started thinking “How I could help make a difference?” (yes this is a Star Trek ref & I proudly state that I’m a geek and a nerd).
After that I thought of becoming a solicitor (no idea how I made that link), which quickly was changed in year 10 after my 2 week work experience .. not what I expected.
What pushed me towards Engineering was two things, first my love for everything Space related (Hence Trek & technology) and second was helping my Dad work in his garden building the items he needed (he’s an Electronic Engineer).
The main point I’m writing this page is not for employers, it’s because of my volunteering when I’m asked by students “How do I become..?” my answer is to find your passion and what you’re interested in (or good at) and follow it, this drives us to find our own route.
My Education - Route to Chartered Engineer
- Bridgemary Community School
- Finished with 9 GCSE’s A-C
- Fareham College
- GNVQ Intermediate Engineering
- GNVQ Advanced Engineering
- University of Portsmouth (This included a foundation year)
- Gap year as a Project Engineer
- Completed my studies and earned my Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering degree BEng(hons)
- Institute of Mechanical Engineers
- Chartered Engineer
This is the generic “Academic route” but I feel that I learn either practically or academically, but what really helped me in this stage of my journey was the gap year I did at Solent Mould Tools, this really opened my eyes as to how a company worked with their daily issues/problems and how everything we learn at school/college and university gets applied in the real setting (yes I did say “When am I ever going to use Calculus?”…)
I encourage the younger generation to take the opportunities when they come along to gain work experience while in education, as you get a richer body of knowledge that I believe will improve you’re overall input in academic institutes.
Even if you volunteer for the jobs they will be worth a lot more to you later on.
Working Life - gaining the experience for Chartered Engineer Started the Monday after I graduated the Friday before hand.
May 2014 - Present
Accuracy International Ltd – Production Engineering Manager
Here I broke free from my learning of Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma, I was given the opportunity to start with a blank white sheet of paper and build both a Production Engineering department and help shape Accuracy into a World class manufacturer implementing as many Lean methods as I could.
So far I have implemented
- Cellular based Assembly Area.
- Digital recording of Assembly processes, giving real-time feedback to the Managers via charts based on the data.
- Implemented CI and MRB meetings to reduce variation/mistakes and complexity.
- Redesigned AI manufacturing operations.
- Taught operators/managers the value of Lean Manufacturing so that they can recognise the waste and drive the improvements.
Based on my work and projects I submitted my application for Chartered Engineer (CEng) and was awarded this in 2018.
May 2009 - May 2014
Stannah Stairlifts – Manufacturing Engineer
Stannah provided me the opportunity to learn about Lean and Six sigma by having a wealth of experts that I could discuss ideas with, at Stannah I pushed on with self studying and achieved my IEng after this I decided to work on my Chartered Engineer status.
While at Stannah my biggest achievement was implementing their Kanban system which replaced an old make-to list, to add context the stairlift factory makes 17,000 stairlifts per year, I studied and put into practice a system that pulled from 6 main production flow lines (and several sub-assembly ones) through the paint plant and back into fabrication.
This took me a whole 5 years to produce, while working on NPI projects including Starla, Siena, Sadler and the 600 (Rail drive unit).
At Stannah I worked with a team of 9 engineers in an open office format which allowed us to bounce ideas around, while being lead by a Senior Engineer using a visual management format white board assigning jobs.
Jul 2003 - Feb 2009
Lewmar Marine Ltd – Project Engineer
This was my first job after graduating and I did start the Monday after the celebrations!
Starting as a Planner I quickly learnt how to run MRP systems to generate the work for Assembly based on demand, however after a year in this role the opportunity arose for me to become a Project Engineer. This roll was mainly CNC programming Mills and Lathes for 30 ish machines in the factory, working alongside designers I helped implement the new racing range (a system of cars and pulley for sail boats), this is where I got my experience as a tool designer after being trained on Mazatrol / Fanuc and Heidenhain programing I also taught myself Pro engineer and jumped into designing fixtures and machine cutting tools.
The basics of Lean was around, but my focus here was getting products from concept to market by designing the tooling/jigs and programs, my biggest achievement here was implementing a material change as the new range was originally made from two extruded Aluminum profiles, which I realised where two in the same and designed a form cutter to convert one to the other when needed, which significantly saved costs in EOQ’s / storage and the end product.
Sept 2001 - Sept 2002 University Gap year
Solent Mould Tools Ltd – Project Planner
I decided to take a gap year in my degree to take the opportunity to build on my understanding of working within a manufacturing firm, this was a great step in my mind like the work experience students get at secondary school (so after the Solicitor experience I gave it another go).
The benefit I had was that SMT had a history of working with the University by taking Students each year, so I got to work alongside another student for 3 months learning from him, then it was my turn.
My main role was on the planning system using Tricorn and Preactor to load the jobs onto the shop floor, I had the opportunity of working with a independent software developer in creating a MS access databases that helped the systems speak to each other and the company to have an interface customized to their needs, for this work I was interviewed for a magazine and appeared in their monthly publication.
Aside from this, I also took a chance at a conference I attended during my time at SMT to engage a representative from Williams F1 team, as SMT had 5 axis CNC mills they did some side work for some other teams, the result of my chat with the Rep was business from Williams!
Why Chartered Engineer?
For me becoming a Chartered Engineer is allowing my fellow peers to look at what I’ve done and have a say in my development, as I value constructive feedback.
Also, it’s a way of me demonstrating that I have been assessed to an agreed set of criteria’s by the Engineering council, which I can then use within my career or the next opportunity.
For an employer, it shows the commitment to your profession and your continue development of yourself, that was the statement I wanted to make.
About me
Apart from being a Chartered engineer, I’m also a Blogger / Designer & amateur Astrophotographer who enjoys challenges and opportunities as they come or what I find, either Professionally or Personally.
Professionally, I study and implement Lean Manufacturing and Six sigma with my current role as a Production Engineering Manager.
You might think OK that’s what everyone else thinks and you would be right, but I like to teach and improve others as I learn and grow myself (not just at work). Outside the workplace I get involved with STEM, Enterprise Advisors and Governing in an attempt to give back to the community and help young people grow, apart from being a Dad my hobbies help me to push outside my comfort zone and learn new things.
But that’s enough for here, check out the rest of my site where I will be going deeper into my background/ skills/ hobbies/ achievements/ being an Engineer and goals in my life.
Also, please check out the links at the top for my LinkedIn and Cults (3D printing) pages. There is a contact page if you like to get in touch to ask me questions on my career / engineering or anything that I’ve helped spark an interest, I’m happy to have a chat.