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BRIGHT SPARK: 18-year-old Elaine Medway, who works at DEK is well on track to achieve her ambition of becoming an electronics engineer

Elaine Medway, from Wyke Regis in Weymouth, has always known that she wanted a career in engineering.

Now, thanks to an apprenticeship with Paragon Skills, she is on track to achieve her career dream of becoming an electronics engineer.

Elaine, 18, has worked for DEK, the world's leading provider of equipment and processes for the high accuracy mass imaging of electronic materials, for the last 18 months.

She has always been interested in engineering and recently completed her engineering apprenticeship and plans to continue to develop her skills with an advanced apprenticeship.

Elaine said: "This training programme has given me the opportunity to build on my basic knowledge and I've been able to transfer what I've learnt to the shop floor."

Elaine's apprenticeship programme has included theoretical and hands-on training, and the course has been tailored to suit the needs of Elaine and her employer.

Elaine said: "The training programme has given me a better understanding of the engineering industry and the confidence to put what I have learnt into practice.

"It has been excellent grounding for me. I have really enjoyed this apprenticeship: along with all the things I've learnt, it has also been a lot of fun."

The engineering apprenticeship combines academic and practical work on production sites and within training workshops.

The training programme includes a mix of a wide variety of elements including electrical, electronics, welding and pneumatics.

Elaine follows in the footsteps of other DEK employees who have completed similar apprenticeships through Paragon Skills for Industry.

David Mudge, who is group HR manager at DEK, oversees the training programmes.

He said: "We have employed a number of apprentices over the years and have used Paragon's solid hands-on approach to help us deliver programmes which provide a good mixture of both academic and practical challenges."

Paragon Skills is one of the largest training providers in the South of England and has access to Government funding and subsidies for training. It also offers guaranteed quality of teaching and assessments to ensure businesses are fully equipped with the skills they need.

Paragon Skills is currently working with approximately 2,000 young people, 50 schools, more than 700 employers, 11 further education colleges, 10 sector organisations and more than 40 partners.

Further information about engineering apprenticeships and funding opportunities can be found at www.paragonskills.co.uk or by calling freephone 0800 783 2545.

8:13am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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