Graduate Apprenticeship sets globetrotter Mark up for an electrifying career
A Graduate Apprenticeship has taken West Dunbartonshire engineer Mark Diamond to the other side of the world to help power global sporting events.
Growing up near energy solutions business Aggreko’s manufacturing plant in Dumbarton inspired local lad Mark to apply for a Graduate Apprenticeship in Engineering: Design and Manufacture with the firm.
Now in his final year, the 21-year-old has worked in many different areas of the business, enabling him to hone his skills and knowledge.
Mark was part of the Aggreko Events Team who successfully designed and delivered the temporary power for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
His biggest achievement is the role he played in the successful delivery of the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
He worked by himself at different sites in four cities, installing Aggreko’s remote monitoring equipment and integrating it with FIFA’s monitoring equipment for all 10 of the World Cup venues.
Mark is currently in the electrical engineering department three and a half days a week and spends one day a week studying at Glasgow Caledonian University.
Mark did Highers in Maths, Physics, English, PE, Modern Studies and Computing Science at Our Lady and St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton before applying for the Graduate Apprenticeship.
He said: “Doing a Graduate Apprenticeship gives you the best of both worlds – you are constantly putting your learning into practice and gaining valuable experience.
“I have been able to absorb knowledge from more experienced colleagues on my apprenticeship, which has really helped me in my personal and professional development, and also boosted my confidence.
“Earning a salary at the same time as going to university to achieve my qualification really takes the pressure off.”
Mark’s dedication has led to him being a finalist in the the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards within the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category sponsored by Leidos.
Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to Masters degree level while in paid employment.
Designed by education and employers, Graduate Apprenticeships are offered in key sectors that need highly skilled employees.
Aggreko Manufacturing Trainer and Apprentice Manager Paul McGarry said: “Mark has been a breath of fresh air, keen to learn and kick on, and we’ve had cracking reports from everyone he’s worked with.
“Apprentices bring different ways of thinking and new ideas and allow us to grow our own talent, upskill our workforce and future proof our business.”
Glasgow Caledonian University Graduate Apprenticeship Tutor David Semple said: “To go straight from school to his Graduate Apprenticeship is a big jump but Mark grabbed the opportunity with both hands.
“He is very smart and switched on, really applied himself to his learning and is well on his way to becoming a professional engineer.”
Find out more
The winner of the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category sponsored by Leidos will be revealed during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 4 to 8 March.