Meet Olivia Dent: Inspiring Women in Engineering Through a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship
NC Group is delighted to introduce Olivia Dent, who has joined 3M's Manufacturing Technology (MT) team at Aycliffe Business Park as a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprentice.
Having recently completed her A Levels at UTC South Durham, Olivia is beginning her engineering career through an apprenticeship delivered in partnership with NC Group. She will split her working week between gaining valuable industry experience at 3M and studying towards her Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Engineering at the NC Group Training Academy.
Her appointment is particularly encouraging as the engineering and manufacturing sectors continue to work towards attracting more women into technical careers and apprenticeships.
Meet Olivia
We're delighted to introduce Olivia and share a little about her background, interests and ambitions.
"Hi Everyone, my name is Olivia Dent. I have most recently completed my A Levels at UTC South Durham, and I am now joining 3M as an apprentice through NC Group. Outside of work, I enjoy sports and competing with my horse. I am looking forward to working with everyone and learning lots of new skills."
Championing Women in Engineering and STEM Careers
Olivia's appointment is an opportunity to celebrate women choosing careers in engineering and manufacturing, sectors where female representation remains significantly lower than that of men.
According to EngineeringUK, women represent 17% of people working in engineering and technology occupations in the UK. It highlights the continued importance of encouraging greater female participation across the sector.
National campaigns and initiatives promoting women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers continue to challenge stereotypes, raise awareness of career opportunities and encourage employers and training providers to share real stories of women working and training in engineering.
By sharing stories like Olivia's, we hope to inspire more women to consider engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships as an exciting and rewarding route into employment.
Developing Skills Through a Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship
Olivia is undertaking the Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship (HNC), combining technical learning with practical experience in a manufacturing environment.
The programme develops the knowledge and skills needed to support engineering and manufacturing operations, including production processes, quality assurance, problem-solving and continuous improvement.
Olivia will spend three days a week on-site at 3M and two days at the NC Group Training Academy, studying towards her HNC in Engineering while applying her learning to real engineering and manufacturing challenges.
To broaden her technical knowledge, Olivia is also joining NC Group tutor John Bayne and fellow maintenance apprentices for additional practical sessions in basic Mechanical and Electrical Maintenance.
These sessions provide valuable knowledge of engineering maintenance principles, including mechanical and electrical systems, fault-finding, planned and preventative maintenance, and the importance of safe working practices.
Importantly, this additional learning will help Olivia understand the direct relationship between effective maintenance strategies and efficient manufacturing operations, including how equipment reliability, minimising downtime and preventing breakdowns contribute to productivity, quality and continuous improvement.
This approach shows how NC Group works with employers to develop engineering professionals with the technical knowledge, practical experience and problem-solving skills manufacturing businesses require.
Building on Our Successful Engineering Apprenticeship Partnership with 3M
NC Group has supported 3M in developing engineering skills and emerging talent for approximately seven years.
During this time, the partnership has supported around 200 employees through engineering apprenticeships and wider workforce training.
We recently introduced three new 3M apprentices, Kieran Williams, Harry Hodgson and Jack Stanford, who began their four-year Level 3 Engineering Maintenance Technician apprenticeships, specialising in Dual Discipline engineering.
While these apprentices are following a maintenance engineering pathway, Olivia is taking a different route through the Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship (HNC).
Learn more about Kieran, Harry, and Jack's journey - 3M Welcomes Three New Engineering Maintenance Apprentices with NC Group.
Supporting the Next Generation of Engineering Talent
At NC Group, we are proud to work alongside employers such as 3M to create meaningful engineering apprenticeship opportunities that combine recognised qualifications with valuable workplace experience.
We wish Olivia every success and look forward to following her progress, celebrating her achievements and sharing her journey.
Explore Engineering Apprenticeships with NC Group
NC Group delivers Ofsted Outstanding engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships and industry-focused training programmes to help employers recruit, develop and retain skilled people.
To learn more about our apprenticeship programmes, commercial training courses and available funding opportunities, contact our team on 01388 737121 or email training@ncgroupltd.co.uk.
