Choosing an Apprenticeship

Why I Chose a Higher Level Apprenticeship at MTM Engineering

Conor Morris - Higher Level Apprentice

Who I Am & What I Do

My name is Conor Morris, and I’m a trainee electrical engineer currently in my first year of a Higher Level Apprenticeship at MTM Engineering.

A Higher Level Apprenticeship combines part-time academic study with full-time employment. It gives me the chance to gain real industry experience while developing professionally and working towards a recognised qualification.

Why I Started Considering an Apprenticeship

Before choosing the apprenticeship route, I considered going to university to study Business or IT. While those options interested me, I was never fully committed to them. I wanted to explore alternative routes that offered practical experience rather than focusing only on academic study.

What really appealed to me about a Higher Level Apprenticeship was the opportunity to work full time while earning a foundation degree. This setup allows me to develop practical skills in a real-world environment every day, while also building a strong academic foundation for my future career.

Initially, I did have some concerns. I worried about adapting to a new team and adjusting to full-time work. Those concerns faded quickly—I built strong relationships with my colleagues and settled into the routine. The transition helped me improve my time management and organisational skills, which has been a huge benefit.           

Support That Helped Me Make The Decision

My family played a key role in my decision. My dad, in particular, encouraged me to take the Higher Level Apprenticeship route, believing it would be more valuable for my long-term career than university alone. Both of my parents helped me prepare for the interview, which really boosted my confidence and made me feel ready.

The most helpful advice I received was to keep my options open. Initially, I focused on university and didn’t fully consider other pathways. Once I learned more about the Higher Level Apprenticeship, I realised it matched my career goals and decided to go for it.

Why I Chose MTM Engineering

MTM Engineering stood out me straight away because of the nature of its work. Some of the other apprenticeships I looked at were factory based, which didn’t interest me. MTM Engineering offered opportunities for internal progression and the chance to travel—both of which really appealed to me.

The interview process made my decision easy. I met my current line manager and the Design Manager, who explained the role and my potential career path in detail. I also met the team at the Strabane office, who made me feel welcome from the start. That experience gave me confidence that I would fit in and enjoy working here.

Reading about other Higher Level Apprentices’ experiences on MTM Engineering’s website also helped me make my decision. It was clear that MTM Engineering values its apprentices and offers high-quality work, strong support, and real opportunities to grow.

My First Impressions of MTM Engineering

My first few weeks at MTM Engineering were brilliant. I quickly built strong relationships with my colleagues and got stuck into my role straight away. I also travelled to the head office in Slane for an induction with the other HLAs, which was a great opportunity to connect with other team members in similar roles.

MTM Engineering has exceeded my expectations. I enjoy my role and feel supported across the organisation. One standout experience was travelling to Frankfurt with a Technical Project Manager, where I saw project operations in action. That experience helped me develop professionally and showed me that the company trusts and invests in its apprentices from an early stage.

Advice for Future Higher Level Apprentices

My advice to anyone considering a Higher Level Apprenticeship is to keep an open mind. You might be focused on university, but apprenticeships also offer strong career opportunities. Gaining experience early is just as valuable as gaining qualifications.

It’s also important to be prepare for the shift to full-time work. It can feel a big step up from school, but with the right employer and support, it’s entirely manageable.

If I had the chance to go back and choose again, I would make the same decision. This apprenticeship has given me a head start in my career and allowed me to gain valuable experience in a short space of time.