Chris Diamond
Chris joined Lockheed Martin UK as an engineering apprentice in 2012. Now in the fifth year of his higher apprenticeship programme he has already gained an HND in electronic engineering and NVQ level 3 and is on track to graduate with a BSc degree next year.
Throughout his time on the apprenticeship scheme he has pushed himself to develop his knowledge and take on extra responsibility. He now works as a test engineer, making sure the vehicles produced at the LMUK Ampthill facility are the most reliable they can be and will work in any environment, withstanding vibration, shock, thermal change and corrosion. He was also selected to be part of a small trials team to visit the Middle East last summer – a first for an apprentice. As part of the team in the desert, Chris worked long hours for three weeks in incredibly tough conditions, reacting quickly to a changing programme.
LMUK Ampthill currently employs 25 apprentices and Chris has used his extensive knowledge to give support, guidance and mentorship to the younger engineers. He set up and runs an apprentice council and takes part in outreach activities with local schools and colleges.
Chris is a major ambassador for apprenticeships and is incredibly passionate about the opportunities and benefits provided by this route into an engineering career.
“Apprenticeships have a huge amount of value to both apprentices and employers. They give people starting out in industry the chance to get their qualifications, gain work experience and get paid at the same time. For employers it gives them the chance to grow and mould staff to be more effective within the business.
“Instead of graduating with a huge amount of student debt I’m earning a decent wage and I’ve gained several years of fantastic industry experience. I would absolutely encourage others to consider an apprenticeship.”
About Lockheed Martin UK Apprenticeships
The Lockheed Martin UK apprentice programme helps attract and secure the workforce of tomorrow and is an important element of ensuring specialised skills and innovative capabilities are retained for the future. An apprentice at Lockheed Martin UK will get hands-on experience at an innovative company that is driven by a sense of purpose and a passion for innovation to shape the future and solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
