Aislinn Smith (33)
2nd-year mechanical engineering technician apprentice with Johnson & Johnson from Nenagh, Co Tipperary
Why I chose a Mechanical Engineering Technician apprenticeship
I am fascinated by how things are made. I was working as a reprocessing associate in Johnson & Johnson’s Limerick facility, which makes contact lenses, and the company was launching a new apprenticeship for Mechanical Engineering Technicians. Dad said, ‘Feel the fear and do it anyway.’ It was great advice.
How to apply
I filled out a form, did an aptitude test and was called for interview. I badgered the lads on the lines to tell me everything about how contact lenses were made. Sure enough, the question came up at interview. I was offered a place. I was over the moon.
It’s a two-year apprenticeship, with 30pc of the time spent studying (I went to Limerick IT) and the rest in training. There is a team of 20 apprentices, including four women, on the Mechanical Engineering Technician Apprentice Programme at J&J Vision Care.
Pros
At the end of two years, I’ll have a Level 6 QQI qualification combined with proper hands-on experience. We have a free gym onsite and a great community culture. Earning while you learn is also a big plus.
Cons
The academic bloc is an intensive regime. Work-life balance can be a bit tricky, but when you love what you do you don’t work a day in your life.
What next?
All going well, I’ll pass my exams and if so, I’ll have a job as a Process Technician. There’s also scope for further education.
‘I spend 30pc of my time studying — the rest is workplace training’