Engineer Daniel Lands Dream Job

A gifted teenage mechanic has landed his dream job thanks to Canterbury College.

When Daniel Pile, 18, from Faversham, spoke to his careers advisor about developing the metal skills he learned at school, he was advised to go to college. Daniel enrolled on Canterbury College’s BTEC Engineering Level 3 course, where he was taught the skills that led to an apprenticeship with machine tool manufacturers Inca Geometric. He was able to apply the teachings to a volunteer job as a junior member of Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway. He commented: "It must be in my genes. My grandfather was a toolmaker and my father is a mechanic so, from an early age, engineering has always been around me."

His knowledge impressed Inca works manager Tony Clifford, who said: “When he joined us, Daniel was certainly mechanically minded. He had already picked up a good basic knowledge of manual turning and milling at Canterbury College plus some experience of fitting at the railway.” Mr Clifford added: “It's such a pity that more youngsters at school are not encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities and develop a skill that is so much in demand and that can be so rewarding."

Inca director Ann Cain praised Daniel’s determination to become an engineer, which included saving up to buy a car for the 10 mile journey to work.

Engineering tutor Michael Gaughran explained how Daniel’s enthusiasm for the BTEC course helped him earn the apprenticeship with Inca. He said: “Dan is self-motivated, courteous, well liked and enjoys engineering. He enjoys working with his hands and the theory side of the course. Anybody who likes working with their hands, making, designing and building things can benefit from our Engineering courses.”

Canterbury College offers a wide range of Engineering courses including City and Guilds qualifications, NVQ diplomas and BTEC extended diplomas. To find out more, go to canterburycollege.ac.uk/engineering.