Rositta Caesar, Process Technician, prev Process Apprentice
Why did you decide to do an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a work-based learning programme. It allows the learner to develop their skills and qualifications whilst earning a wage. The school I attended gave excellent advice and support to all final year students to take the next steps after A-levels. This allowed me to explore both options – university and apprenticeship schemes. I decided to embark on an apprenticeship because the schemes set out by all employers especially British Sugar had a comprehensive learning programme. I love learning, this was my core focus for further education. My passion is to pursue a career in chemical engineering.
Tell us about your journey as an apprentice at British Sugar?
My journey as an apprentice is something I look back on with fond memories. Moving away from home up to Hartlepool was a large step away from the Southwest where I originally come from. We spent a year living in apartments on Hartlepool Marina whilst attending Middlesbrough TTE training centre. Here we initially learnt an appreciation of each trade from electrical, pneumatic, hydraulics, metal work. Alongside plant and plant services L3 which gave us an introduction into the workings of a micro lemonade plant. Moving into more in depth understanding of pumps, valves, bearings, gears. Before we then started our City and Guilds L2 and L3 course including 12 exams on chemistry, heat transfer, maths, separation, crystallisation to name a few. Our journey then continued onto site (Wissington) with 3 years of completing a Level 3 diploma in Process Technology and applying this to British Sugars’ sugar manufacturing process. This entailed carbonatation, crystallisation, lime kiln, diffusion with all the differing topics this kept me engaged and I enjoyed the learning process. To finalise our scheme, we had an end point assessment. This was the first time a process scheme had the opportunity to do this; giving our 4-year scheme validity. I can say I was relieved and proud of myself once those final folders were handed in for assessment.
You completed your apprenticeship through TTE in Middlesbrough. How did TTE and British Sugar support you through your apprenticeship?
We had regular review sessions with both British Sugar representatives and with a TTE tutor. This gave us a deadline to work towards completing sections of our work. There was a lot of paperwork and parts to the diploma so having the scheme given to us and support alongside allowed us the freedom to choose how we tackled it but guidance on deadlines so that we all were able to complete it within the 3 years.