From Classroom to Turbine; An Apprentice’s Story
In this blog, we hear from Olivia Jackson, Offshore Wind Turbine Technician apprentice at RWE, who shares her journey of professional development through her apprenticeship. Olivia reflects on her decision to pivot from the traditional university route into engineering, balancing hands-on learning with building strong technical foundations and how the experience is shaping her confidence and career progression within the renewable energy sector.
“It takes courage to start again from scratch. To try something new that you might not have seen yourself doing; that’s what being an apprentice means to me.”
Olivia Jackson is an Offshore Wind Turbine Technician apprentice at RWE. After initially following the university route, Olivia chose an apprenticeship as a way to pivot into engineering and build a career that combines practical skills with strong technical foundations, an area she hadn’t previously explored.
“I think I fell into the trap that a lot of people do. I thought university was the only way forward. The apprenticeship has given me a stepping-stone into engineering that I wouldn’t have been able to access otherwise.”
Choosing an Apprenticeship Path
Olivia’s decision to pursue an apprenticeship came after realising that university wasn’t the right long-term fit for her career goals. With limited exposure to engineering during college, the apprenticeship offered a structured and supported entry into a completely new industry.
“Rather than starting work without direction, the apprenticeship allowed me to gain structured training, real-world experience, and recognised qualifications, all while earning and developing confidence in a completely new field"
Starting the Apprenticeship Journey
Before beginning her apprenticeship, Olivia had very little awareness of apprenticeships and didn’t know anyone who had completed one.
“The apprenticeship route was completely new to me. Everyone I knew either went straight into work or went to university”
One of Olivia’s initial concerns was whether she would be behind peers with prior engineering experience. Those worries quickly disappeared once she started the programme.
“It was really reassuring to realise that everyone starts on the same basis. We all build up our foundational knowledge together.”
Learning That Translates to Offshore Work
A key part of Olivia’s apprenticeship has been developing electrical and electronic knowledge that directly supports her offshore role.
“We’ve done an electrical and electronics unit, which has helped me understand what I’m working on offshore. I can apply the theory to turbines, components, and the units we’re fixing”
This grounding in theory has made complex systems easier to understand and strengthened Olivia’s ability to apply learning in real working environments.
Building Confidence Offshore
Since starting the apprenticeship, Olivia has noticed a significant increase in her confidence, both in the classroom and offshore.
“Before, I didn’t really have that theoretical basis. Now I’ve got a foundation, I understand concepts more easily, ask more questions, and apply that knowledge to individual components”
This growing confidence has allowed her to engage more actively with her role and take greater ownership of her learning.
Increasing Responsibility Through Supervised Work
While apprentices cannot work independently until deemed competent, Olivia has seen clear progress in the responsibilities she is entrusted with.
“I’m being trusted with a lot more supervised tasks. It’s physical proof of how much I’m progressing, which is really motivating”
This hands-on experience, combined with close supervision, ensures both safety and skill development as she continues to grow in her role.
Safety as a Core Skill
Safety is critical in Olivia’s offshore work, and her apprenticeship has reinforced safe working practices.
“PPE is always really important, even for smaller tasks. Harnesses, support systems, isolating turbines; it’s all an ingrained part of what we do.”
This focus has helped Olivia develop professional habits that are essential in high-risk environments.
Balancing Work and Training
Olivia finds that her practical work and classroom training complement each other.
“The theory and practical elements really mesh together. You need both to do the job properly and safely"
Feeling Supported
Support has been a defining feature of Olivia’s apprenticeship. She highlights the value of both peer support and tutor guidance.
“The people you’re learning alongside make a huge difference. If you’re hesitant, you can always ask questions. The tutors are always there to help and push you when you need it”
This supportive environment has helped Olivia build confidence, even when tackling subjects she initially found challenging.
Looking to the Future
Olivia feels her apprenticeship has made future career pathways much more achievable.
“It’s made opportunities seem much more reachable. I want to go into specialised engineering, and this apprenticeship has shown me that I’ve got the skills, motivation, and support to keep progressing”
Would You Recommend an Apprenticeship?
Having experienced both university and an apprenticeship, Olivia strongly recommends the apprenticeship route.
“It offers pay, practical experience, and a secure career path. Even if you don’t stay in the same field, the skills you gain are transferable.”
What Being an Apprentice Means to Olivia
For Olivia, being an apprentice represents courage and commitment.
“It takes courage to start again from scratch. To try something new that you might not have seen yourself doing; that’s what being an apprentice means to me.”
Olivia’s story highlights how apprenticeships can open doors to new skills, confidence, and career paths, even when you’re starting from scratch.