Imogen Flowers-Warner, Electrical Engineering Technician

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What I do

I work at Powell, where we build electrical parts for big sites that use lots of electricity, like factories or huge retail or leisure facilities.

I’m an apprentice Engineering Fitter, but in the workshop, people usually call my role a Panel Wirer.

I help wire up switchgear (electrical parts that control and protect power), but I also build the big metal cabinets they sit in and create drawings and wiring plans for people to follow when building them.

Engineering Fitter Imogen, on the workshop floor, wiring up electrical components in a cabinet, using a multimeter.

How I became a technician

For my GCSEs, I picked design and technology, sports and media studies and history, which is pretty different to what I do now.

But DT made me realise I wanted to do something hands on, so I started looking at apprenticeships instead of going to full-time college.

How I became a technician

I went to a few company open days to get an idea of what they were like, and I ended up applying to Powell because I felt like there was more opportunity there.

A lot of other places felt like I’d just experience one role, but at Powell my apprenticeship lets me try working in lots of different departments, so I can figure out what I want to do.

How I became a technician

I’m doing an Engineering Fitter apprenticeship, which involves studying towards an NVQ and a BTEC qualification, alongside working.

I started my apprenticeship when I was 16, and it’s meant to take five-years, but I’m hoping to work hard and get through it a little quicker.

How I became a technician

My mum was a bit unsure at first because she wanted me to go to college and then university. She was worried that doing an apprenticeship meant you don’t get any qualifications, but I explained that I’ll be gaining qualifications, and that after my current apprenticeship is done, I can move on to Level 4. Also, if I do end up wanting to go down the university route, work can provide that. That helped reassure her.

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A typical day in my working life

I start work at 7am and finish at 3pm. I changed my hours from 8am to 4pm because I prefer starting earlier – I like having more of the day left after work.

I live close by, so it’s just a five-minute drive into work. My day depends on where I’m working during my apprenticeship.

A typical day in my working life

In the workshop, I might be wiring up switchgear or building the big metal cabinets they go into. When I’m wiring, I read the drawings and choose all the correct cables and parts.

The cable size can change a lot depending on what the panel needs, so I check the panel summary first. Then I wire everything to match the plan, including the right colours.

A typical day in my working life

At the moment, I’m working in the office, creating wiring plans, panel summaries and drawings.

I use AutoCAD to do this (a computer programme for technical drawings) and I’m also able to fit in my college work too.

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Engineering Fitter Imogen, sat at a desk with two computer screens, using AutoCAD software.

What I love about my job

My favourite thing is the freedom and the variety. Every customer wants something different, so I’m always learning.

One day I might be working on a panel that’s packed full – I can hardly move inside it – and another day it might only have a couple of components.

We are helping big builds come to life, so changes happen along the way and we need to adapt to those, it keeps it interesting.

I love being part of the process and seeing how things are made. I like learning about the background of things and understanding how they are produced.

The skills I use most

Being able to read wiring maps is a big one. I need to understand what wire goes where, what it connects to and the route it should take.

Problem solving matters a lot too, because changes happen. If a customer changes their mind, you might need to rewire and rework things.

Communication is also important because I work with other people a lot and I often need to ask questions. My workplace really encourages that – they want you to ask and they promote it.

Resilience helps as well. I’ve learned you can’t let one mistake get you down – you accept something’s wrong, and then you crack on and fix it.

Every customer wants something different, so I'm always learning.

I love being part of the process and seeing how things are made.

Don’t stress too much. Nothing is the be all and end all – you can always change your route.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

Powell has around 200 people working there, so it’s a big place, but it still feels close-knit once you’re in it. The workshop floor feels like one big family, with the other departments being different branches of that family!

As an apprentice, I move around departments, so I report to different team leaders for a couple of months at a time. That means I get to meet loads of people, and remember loads of names! The best thing is the support - I always feel included and I’m brought into everything.

My favourite piece of equipment

I actually like doing a bit of everything, but I really enjoy drilling. I use drills for mechanical jobs like putting pins into shafts and helping fit the cabinets together.

It feels really practical – you can see the result straight away, and it’s a satisfying part of building something solid that will hold all the electrical equipment safely.

What I like to do in my spare time

When I was younger, I loved sport and after-school clubs. I did badminton, rounders, netball and football. I also did the Duke of Edinburgh award and also went snowboarding with school.

Now I still keep that sporty side, but it’s more gym-based. After work I like going to the gym, going on walks and just getting out, because it takes your mind off things and helps you reset.

My school days

At school, I was into design and technology and I also did lots of sport. I also did a lot of arts and crafts growing up – my mum brought me up being quite hands-on with things, like making fun little bits.

I didn’t used to feel confident speaking in front of people either. I was really unsocial and standing in front of a crowd would have been my worst nightmare, but I’ve grown a lot more confident since starting work.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

So far, one of the most exciting things has been helping out with the apprentice team at work. I feel like it’s developing all the time and I’ve been able to suggest improvements.

I also joined the BBC Bitesize Careers Tour with Technicians: We Make the Difference, and was on a panel at a school talking to students about my job. It was a big deal for me because I used to hate speaking out. Being involved in that and seeing myself get more confident has felt like a real achievement.

A surprising fact about my job

A surprising thing is how many different routes my apprenticeship includes. I thought I’d just be wiring, but I’ve done mechanical work too, like fitting doors, drilling and adding parts like DIN rails (metal strips used to mount electrical components).

I’ve also worked upstairs in engineering, quality and safety and even sales, where you help bid for the next jobs we might take on. It’s made me realise there are so many jobs in an organisation, and they’re all connected.

The next steps in my career journey

I’m working through my Level 3 apprenticeship and I want to keep progressing. I’ve got the opportunity to go on to Level 4, and if I decide I want to do university later, my workplace can support with that route too.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Don’t stress too much. Nothing is the be all and end all – you can always change your route. Also, don’t follow your friends, pick what you actually enjoy, even if it feels hard to be the one person doing something different – it'll be worth it in the end!