National Apprenticeship Week 2026 – Meet Emilia Fitzpatrick
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we’re continuing to celebrate the apprentices who are shaping the future of our industry. This week, we sat down with Emilia Fitzpatrick, apprentice Site Engineer in our C2V team, to talk about her journey, her decision to choose an apprenticeship, and what she’s learned so far.
Why did you choose the apprenticeship route rather than full-time university?
“My apprenticeship means learning in a way that suits me best, hands-on and in a real working environment, while also completing a degree.”
Emilia explained that she has always learned best by doing: “I chose this route instead of a full-time university education because I have always learned better on the job, which has allowed me to gain valuable experience, earn money, and become part of a team. It has also given me opportunities, such as working with new technologies, that I wouldn’t have had if I had gone to university full-time.”
What do you enjoy most about being an apprentice?
“The best part of being an apprentice is undertaking new tasks and constantly learning new things. No two days are the same, which means I am always developing my skills and knowledge. I also enjoy meeting new people in the industry and feeling a sense of achievement when something finally clicks. I not only understand what I am doing, but why I am doing it and how it fits into the bigger picture.”
What skills or insights has your apprenticeship given you so far?
“This apprenticeship has taught me practical skills, confidence, and independence.”
Emilia explained how she’s learned to use equipment she had never encountered before: “I now feel so much more confident in my abilities. I’ve learned to set out, work with new tools, and adapt quickly.”
She also shared one of her biggest learning moments: “It has also taught me that making mistakes is part of the learning process; each mistake helps me understand what to do (and what not to do) in the future. Most importantly, it has shown me the value of real-world experience alongside academic study, which I believe is invaluable.”
Looking ahead
Emilia’s journey shows the impact that hands-on, practical learning can have, not just on skills development, but on confidence and career direction. Her experience reflects what apprenticeships are all about: learning, growing, and gaining real responsibility from day one.