Corey Craig is a Detail Designer in the Engineering Department at BAE Systems shipyard in Scotstoun, Glasgow. He is working on the Type 26 frigates creating a 3-dimensional representation to ensure the spatial integration on ship is complete before build. “I love the scale of the engineering that we do,” he explains. “It is really exciting working on such large projects, such as aircraft carriers and now frigates. I enjoy the team work and the collaboration between people with different experiences and expertise.”
Corey joined BAE Systems after school on an apprenticeship scheme. He has completed three years at Glasgow Clyde College on an approved apprenticeship scheme, and is planning to do a degree in CAD and Mechanical Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University next year.
“I have always been interested in engineering, but if I hadn’t had family and friends working in engineering I wouldn’t have known about the apprenticeship route. I have enjoyed studying while getting hands-on work experience. It might take a bit longer than full time study, but I’m getting invaluable experience, and have no debt. When we have projects to do for college I can use my work as an example, which makes them more useful and relevant.”
Corey has been involved in a school’s skills engineering challenge. Volunteers visit a school to teach them the theory of ships and help them build model ships. They then test them at the wave tank in Strathclyde University. He has also hosted visitors to the Scotstoun site, both school pupils and teachers. “It’s important to tell people about apprenticeships. When I was at school it was all about university, but I think people need all the information to make the right choice for them.”
Corey has also been an active member of BAE System’s Apprentice Council and taken a leading role in organising the annual Engineering Development Forum. Outside work, he is an aspiring football referee qualified to the level of assistant referee in the professional Scottish leagues.
Engineering is an exciting profession and Corey explains the challenges ahead: “There is an emphasis on getting young people interested in the industry and once on a career path it is vital that we share knowledge so we maintain capability in the future both within the company but also across the industry as a whole. There are now a lot of young apprentices coming into the business who are in a position to learn new skills, but also need to benefit from the experienced engineers.”
“I was really pleased to be a runner up for this prestigious prize,” he says. “It is great to have recognition by an independent organisation, and know that compared with apprentices all over the country working in different fields that I have been recognised. Professional Registration is increasingly important, so this is really important to me and to BAE Systems.”
Find out more about the Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award.