David Docherty
- Name
- David Docherty
- Job Title
- Apprentice
- Company
- Springfields Fuels
Springfields is the site of the UK's nuclear fuel manufacturing operations and has been making fuel and products for reactors in the UK and overseas for over 60 years. The site has the technology to manufacture fuel for all major designs of nuclear reactors worldwide. Most of the fuel requirements for the UK's nuclear power stations are met by Springfields and around 15% of all the electricity generated in the UK comes from power stations using nuclear fuel manufactured at Springfields. Ownership of the site has changed several times over the years and in 2005 responsibility for the assets & liabilities of the site transferred to a new UK Government body, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). The NDA is a public body whose purpose is to oversee and manage the clean-up and decommissioning of the nuclear sites under its responsibility. A new company, Springfields Fuels Limited, was created to run the site, which continues to be managed and operated by Westinghouse Electric UK Ltd on the NDA's behalf.
On starting his apprenticeship David chose to train in the mechanical trades. The Apprentice Training Scheme is run by Springfields and is accredited by EAL (EMTA Awards Ltd). David pursued an Advanced Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering Maintenance, the framework of which is NVQ level 2 engineering skills, key skills i.e. IT, communications, application of numbers, working with others and improving own learning, NVQ level 3 engineering skills and a technical certificate.
He displayed consistently good performances throughout his apprenticeship and had placements with a number of supervisors and managers, each of which gave encouraging reports on his ability and future potential.
David said "I chose to do an apprenticeship because I preferred to continue training whilst working full time. I knew I would gain valuable experience as well as good academic qualifications".
His academic work has matched his engineering progress during his time at Springfields and he has achieved the technical certificate, a National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering, with distinctions, and went on to achieve the Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering. David was awarded the apprentice fourth year prize for the Mechanical trades and also the Guild Trophy as Apprentice of the Year 2005. David's craft and academic achievements enabled the Company to offer full-time employment on completion of his apprenticeship and the opportunity to study part-time for an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
On completion of the apprenticeship, Springfields recognised David's aspirations to progress and placed him into the Company Graduate Scheme, awarding him a part-time training concession to study for an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University. Now in his second year David continues to develop and broaden his experience of the site. He has experienced placements in a number of different production areas on the graduate scheme, in rotating placements. He is supported by the Skills Development Team, and mentored by one of the Company's Senior Engineers. On each placement his progress is reviewed and discussed to ensure that he is obtaining the appropriate development, which will also ensure development of behavioural skills as well as his technical ability.
In 2006, David was one of only eight young engineers in the UK to receive a Whitworth Scholarship. On completion of his degree David will become a full scholar and will be eligible to enter the Whitworth Society. The title of Whitworth Scholar has been borne by many distinguished engineers and the prestige of the Award is extremely high. It highlights young engineers who are expected to be high achievers in their chosen careers. The Awards date back to the mid-nineteenth century when Sir Joseph Whitworth, who owned a successful tool-making business in Manchester, approached Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli with the offer to fund annual scholarships to help young engineers further their education and training. Today the Awards are still available to outstanding young engineers who can demonstrate academic excellence with the practical and personal qualities to succeed in industry. The Scholarship and Award provided David with financial support towards the cost of studying for his degree. As an Award winner, David is entitled to use the title 'Whitworth Scholar' with the designatory letters 'Wh. Sch.' He is also entitled to become a member of the celebrated Whitworth Society.
David has also been involved in other activities and his development has included roles such as the secretary to the Site's joint union and management partnership meetings.