Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Student duo doing their bit to hit net zero target
A pair of Monklands students are leading by example in new roles helping Scotland and the UK edge closer to their net zero climate change targets.
Airdrie’s Rebekah Mcpheat and Christopher Doran from Coatbridge have joined up with North Lanarkshire firm Autonomous iot to do their bit for the future of the planet.
Rebekah, 24, also recently started her fourth year studying international supply chain management and says the work placement with Autonomous – a researcher and developer of renewable energy products – benefits her studies and can provide a platform for her to enjoy a career in her chosen field.
Rebekah added: “I started in June this year. I knew Autonomous as a local company and applied for any vacancy they might have – it’s gone brilliantly since then.
“I’m learning new systems every day, taking what I’ve learned at university so far and putting it into practice in a work environment. I’ve gained invaluable knowledge in manufacturing, building fans and solar. I am glad I have all this new experience and skills to help me work through my final year at university.”
Christopher, following completion of his four-year degree at the University of Strathclyde, is working with Autonomous iot as part of the university graduate trainee scheme sponsored by the National Manufacturing Institute of Scotland NTTF programme.
The 27-year-old is already enjoying the very hands-on role, supporting Autonomous with the testing and diagnosing of new products being pushed out to market, all as the country counts down to COP26.
Christopher said: “I would say the most enjoyable aspect of working at Autonomous is the variety of tasks. One day you might be doing software and then the next you might be helping to build the units or helping with something else entirely different. You learn a variety of different things.
“I have received support across the various aspects of the work I have done while at Autonomous. I work alongside another software engineer who I can ask for help if I ever encounter something I’m unsure of.
“The biggest thing I have learned so far is how vast the world of web development is, from front end technologies and backend technologies to databases etc. It has made me very interested in getting deeper into web development and its various technologies.”