Summary:
Annabelle Eastman is a 22-year-old apprentice electrician at Sheffield Forgemasters.
She is part of 23 apprentices hired in 2024, with more expected in 2025.
Her role involves climbing 15-metre high furnaces and fixing crane panels.
Annabelle chose apprenticeships over university, inspired by family members.
She is in the second year of a four-year program, balancing work and study.
An Inspiring Journey of an Apprentice
Annabelle Eastman, a 22-year-old apprentice at Sheffield Forgemasters, is literally climbing the career ladder by working as an electrician. She is among 23 apprentices hired by the company in 2024 and is set to welcome more apprentices in 2025.
"You have to be able to go up high and work so you do need a head for heights," says Annabelle, emphasizing the unique challenges of her job. She shares, "I can do anything from going up and fixing a crane panel because it's not working right to going on top of the furnace, which are about fifteen metres above the floor." Her role allows her to see operations from a new perspective, stating, "It’s interesting because you see everything differently when you’re high up."
Sheffield Forgemasters was named among the Department for Education's Top 100 UK Apprenticeship Employers in 2023.
Annabelle chose the apprenticeship route over university, inspired by her father and uncle who also pursued apprenticeships. She states, “I did physics at A level and really enjoyed the theory, so I decided to specialise in electrical installation.” She trained at Arena Training Centre, a specialist electrical college, and is currently in the second year of her four-year course.
“An apprenticeship also means I have support at both work and college. I have two support systems and I genuinely could not wish for a better set of people to work with,” she expresses her appreciation for the guidance she receives in her journey.
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