Bright spark Nathan secures ‘fantastic’ engineering role

Bright spark Nathan secures ‘fantastic’ engineering role

8 February 2023

DRUMAROAD’S Nathan McCabe is using his passion for engineering to find the route to his chosen career, despite facing adversity. 

The 19 year-old is currently studying a Level 3 engineering apprenticeship at the South Eastern Regional College’s Downpatrick campus.

A former student at St Malachy’s High School in Castlewellan, Nathan joined the college in 2019, completing a Level 2 vehicle maintenance and repair skills for work course. 

Facing many challenges along the way due to a disability, Nathan has found a new passion in engineering, recently starting a life changing apprenticeship to develop his career potential.

After completing his GCSEs, the teenager said his main ambition was to have a trade behind him while earning an income.

He revealed that after speaking to a few friends who had recommended the local college, he felt it would be the “perfect place” for him to achieve this goal, explaining that he has always been very supported, with the organisation “accommodating his disability and providing excellent facilities.”

Nathan continued: “Being confined to a wheelchair created some practical challenges for me during the vehicle maintenance course, such as carrying out the every day practical work of a mechanic and being unable to secure an employer.

“Luckily, I was able to carry out my placement at the college’s Lisburn campus which involved training on reclaimed and workshop vehicles and learning to remove and refit components.

“My technical support officer, Terry Hickland, was fantastic in teaching me many skills, including first steps in welding and fabrication. Although these skills were not part of my course content, I thoroughly enjoyed developing them.”

After completing the vehicle maintenance and repair course, Nathan struggled to secure employment and was very unsure of what the future had in store for him.

“Holding on to my interest in welding and fabrication, I decided to explore the engineering apprenticeship route with the college and successfully secured a position as a bench welder at Walter Watsons Limited and am now completing my Level 3 engineering apprenticeship,” he continued.

Nathan explained his main duties are creating components and doing wiring which he described as “fantastic”. He says he enjoys every moment with the local firm.

“There is never a dull moment and I look forward to taking on more responsibilities as I progress,” he continued, thanking his technical support officer for all his help, time and patience, introducing him to engineering and fabrication, as well as adapting the workshop to meet his needs. 

“Terry was a fantastic support in helping me secure my current position,” Nathan continued.

“Two other people I would like to thank are lecturers Andrew Cully and Hugh Kelly from the motor vehicle department who were very understanding during my studies and catered for my disability needs both in class and in the workshop which was a great support to me.”

Nathan said his overall experience at the further education college, while tough at times, was fantastic in helping him find his passion.

“I like all forms of engineering and challenges and the apprenticeship route is providing me with so much valuable experience while earning an income,” he said.

“After I finish my course, I would love to travel to the United States to further my skills in engineering and one day become self-employed with my own business. The college has been an amazing starting point to launch my career.”