Engineering a first class career path

First class PD Ports employees Darren Coleman and Anthony Paxton have achieved specialist engineering degrees at Teesside University.

Darren and Anthony, both 26, joined PD Ports as apprentices. Now after four years of part-time study, both have achieved first class degrees.

Darren, who started as a PD Ports apprentice nine years ago, completed the BEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering, while Anthony, who joined PD Ports as an apprentice eight years ago, completed the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

Anthony, of Stockton, works as Engineering Mobile Plant Superintendent at Teesport, the second largest container port in the North of the UK.

He said: 'Starting our careers as apprentices, we haven’t really taken the traditional route towards a degree. Although we’ve both been involved in study in some way since starting as apprentices, we wanted to take the study on that bit further to degree level for our own personal development, as well as professional.'

Darren, of Billingham, is Project Engineer Electrical, working within the projects office in Middlesbrough, close to the Transporter Bridge. He followed a similar route to study while working.

He said: 'We were working on the degree alongside other some students just starting out in their careers, with little or no experience of working in the industry. Having had the experience of studying while working did help and we were able to bring that practical experience of being in the industry with us. It’s much easier to relate what you’re learning to your work.'

Anthony said: 'Although it was hard doing a full day at work, then spending the rest of the time studying, there are benefits in being able to immediately put into practice what you’re learning. That practical application is important.'

And while both said it was difficult balancing work with study and everyday life, the hard work was made worthwhile by achieving a first class degree.

Darren said: 'The dissertation required a lot of time and dedication and it was hard to finish a full day at work, then spend the rest of the evening and weekends studying. It was hard work, but the end result has made it worthwhile. It has really paid off.'

Anthony added: 'For a few months it was like we had no life apart from work and study. But working while studying is a really good way to progress towards a degree and we’ve had lots of support from PD Ports, who invest a lot in their apprentices.'

Completing the degree has whetted their appetite for future study and they are currently working towards full chartered engineering status with IMechE (Institute of Mechanical Engineers) and IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology).

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