'Apprenticeships are not just for young people'

A trainee marine engineer says she wants to encourage other adults looking to reskill or requalify to consider an apprenticeship.

Hatty McKay was working as a yacht skipper when she decided she wanted to learn more about how the vessels worked.

Now, at the age of 27, she is in her first year of a marine engineering apprenticeship at the RNLI in Poole.

She admits she is a bit older than the average apprentice, but wanted to "learn on the job from skilled technicians who do this kind of thing every single day".

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent as part of National Apprenticeship Week, she said: "I came to the RNLI as a bosun from superyachts so I had some experience in the marine industry.

"I had my professional yachtmaster [qualification] and was skippering small boats but I realised I didn't understand how the engines and ancillary systems worked.

"Instead of going down the university route I decided an apprenticeship would be a really great way forward."

Karen Lyall, RNLI's apprenticeship lead, said the charity had seen an increase in the number of people coming through the apprenticeship route.

"We are seeing all ages make enquiries," she said.

"When we go to careers events, it's young people, parents and also older people enquiring about apprenticeships.

"There's no pathway that fits everybody so it's really something you need to do your research on.

"Apprenticeships are a long-term investment.

"Whether you are leaving school or you've been to university, it's an opportunity for people to earn while they are learning."

McKay said: "Having some hands-on experience is such a valuable asset.

"I'm a little bit on the older side as an apprentice because normally they are aimed at people who have left school.

"I want to show people that if you've been in the working world for a little bit, if you want to reskill or requalify, then an apprenticeship is also for you."