From an early age Rachel was always a ‘hands-on’ type of girl who preferred getting her hands dirty to working in an office.
So it was no surprise when she left Cheadle High School to start an apprenticeship in Engineering at digger giant JCB. And, although she was the only girl in the workshop at Buxton & Leek College where she started her training, she never let that worry her and passed both her NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 courses in engineering with flying colours.
Rachel is currently working at JCB’s XP division in Cecily Mills, Oakamoor Road, Cheadle and there she’s involved in lots of research and development work, testing out new products and developing them further.
“I’ve never been one for fake nails and that sort of thing. I’m happier putting on my overalls and working on a lathe. So I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship and the tutors at Buxton & Leek College have been brilliant.
“I’ve been attending college one day a week and I am treated no differently to the lads. I’ve learned how to turn metal on a lathe and use the milling machines and I’ve enjoyed the practical nature of the course so much that I want to take it further and aim to complete my Foundation degree.“
