Manufacturing Champion of the Month

This month, MEPCA has taken the opportunity to celebrate a rising star of engineering. Introducing Lewis Morley , Engineering Apprentice at Festo . Lewis shares his views on apprenticeships, why he chose a career in engineering, and how it felt to have his dedication recognised at PPMA 2024.

The opinion that apprenticeships are crucial for combating the industry’s growing recruitment problem has been common among our Manufacturing Champions. Our July Champion demonstrates why. Since beginning his apprenticeship at Festo in September 2022, Lewis Morley has been an exemplary apprentice, highly commended by Festo, the BFPA, and awarded Automate UK ’s Rising Star of the Year 2024. Here, he provides his insights.

What makes an apprenticeship such an effective route into engineering?

An apprenticeship offers young people a direct route into industry, offering something different compared to the traditional route of university. From the start at Festo, I have been able to work with innovative automation technology, helping implement these new technologies into real industry. Alongside this, I have been studying for 3 years towards a bachelor’s in electrical engineering. I enjoy the balance between my days at college and my time at work; it’s really rewarding to take the theory I’m learning in the classroom and apply it to real products and applications at Festo. This hands-on experience consolidates my understanding, and makes the learning feel more meaningful. You’re not just studying concepts — you’re seeing how they work in practice.

At what point did you realise you wanted to pursue a career in engineering?

When I was younger, I was always curious about how things worked—constantly taking things apart and figuring out how to put them back together (much to my parents’ dismay!). But it was really at the end of secondary school, while weighing up options for sixth form or college, when I decided to specialise. I chose to attend a dedicated engineering college, where enthusiastic and supportive teachers introduced me to the various fields of engineering. From that point on, I knew I wanted to go straight into a job through an apprenticeship—but I also wanted to push myself further and continue progressing towards higher qualifications to build a long-term career in the industry. This is why I chose the degree apprenticeship route.]

What did winning the Automate UK Rising Star of the Year award at PPMA last year mean to you?

I was shocked when my name was announced – I really couldn’t quite believe it. It felt special to be recognised on a national stage like that, especially so early in my career. For me, it really confirmed that I was doing the right things in my apprenticeship, and it has really given me a boost of confidence and determination to finish my apprenticeship and immerse myself into a full-time role in the industry, which has already given me so much opportunity. It’s something I can look back on with pride going forward.

What advice do you have for STEM students considering a career in industry?

Apply yourself and don’t be put off. Speaking from experience, I used to think industry was a daunting and difficult path to break into—but the reality is quite different. A lot of manufacturers and engineering firms are actively looking for apprentices and young engineers to help close a growing skills gap, and the opportunities out there are only increasing. My advice is to take every opportunity that comes your way, even if it feels outside your comfort zone. And, ultimately, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. Sometimes just showing interest can open the first door – if you’re enthusiastic about engineering then employers will recognise that and will see your potential.

festo.com/gb/en