Teacher engineers herself a career change

Rachel Horan (above), who is now part of a team of aerospace engineers is working with Ballygowan based engineering firm, McGreevy Engineering.
 
Rachel was teaching in England when she saw an opportunity to return to her love of making things and, build upon her Technology and Design degree from Ulster University.

This was thanks to the pre-employment training with the Assured Skills Academy in association with Northern Regional College (NRC), supported by trade association ADS (NI) and funded by the Department of the Economy.
 
McGreevy Engineering welcomed Rachel Horan to the team after she successfully completed the nine-week Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Milling Academy which included a four-week placement within the company.
 
Rachel explained: “The Academy assigned me to McGreevy Engineering for my placement.  Putting everything I had learnt on my course into practice was the highlight for me, as I like to think I’m a very practical person. I enjoy a hands-on learning approach rather than in a classroom and this was a great opportunity to do just that.”

Every student was guaranteed a job interview following successful competition of the Academy. “Getting the news that I had secured a full-time job with McGreevy Engineering, following my interview, was the best possible outcome for me. I am still learning every day, I am working on new machinery and make new parts, which will be part of an aircraft very soon. Making the decision to retrain and change career has definitely been the best decision I’ve ever made,” Rachel continued.
 
When asked if she found any barriers beginning her journey in the male-dominated engineering industry Rachel said, “For me it’s about ability and capability, gender should not and has not been an issue for me. My experience of the engineering industry so far has been very positive and I would encourage anyone considering their career options to step outside their comfort zone and explore the possibilities particularly see what engineering can offer.”

With regards to her future in the industry, “I plan to stay with McGreevy Engineering for the foreseeable future.  There is so much more to learn. Maybe one day I can combine my newly acquired skills with my teaching background and help to train the next generation of engineers.