Peterborough College Apprentice Archie Highlights Power of Hands-On Engineering Career Paths

This National Engineering Day, Peterborough College Mechatronics Apprentice Archie Cutajar is celebrating a life-changing career shift, moving from stocking supermarket freezers to maintaining high-tech machinery behind one of the nation’s favourite food brands, McCain’s.

Archie’s journey began in April, when he contacted Peterborough College to inquire about engineering apprenticeships. After attending an assessment centre in April, he was identified as a strong candidate for the Level 3 engineering program, though he lacked prior industry experience or an employer sponsor.  

To bridge the gap, Archie joined a fully funded, 10-week engineering skills bootcamp at Peterborough College. He flew through the intensive training, impressing his tutors and earning a recommendation to McCain Foods, the recently crowned Large Employer of the Year at the Peterborough Apprenticeship Awards. Following a standout interview, Archie secured a mechatronics maintenance technician apprenticeship, stepping onto the factory floor in September. 

“Looking back, it is a very substantial and positive change going from working in a supermarket to working in the McCain factory that makes the products I used to stock in the freezers, with an opportunity for progression and learning,” said Archie. “I chose an apprenticeship because I get to learn while working, giving me the mix of classroom education with on-the-job experience, allowing me to apply my learning day to day.”

National Engineering Day highlights diverse routes into the sector and underscores the growing demand for skilled professionals as new technologies and equipment continue to transform manufacturing. 

When asked to sum up the sector in one sentence, Archie noted: “Engineering is a challenging, constantly evolving, fulfilling and practical career that always keeps you learning.”

McCain Foods provides comprehensive hands-on mentorship, pairing apprentices with training buddies and supportive management across a wide range of machinery and tasks. Over the coming years of his Level 3 program, Archie aims to take on expanding responsibilities while building a long-term fulfilling career with McCain. 

For students or career changers considering a similar move to Engineering, Archie’s advice is simple: “Just do it! You won’t regret joining such a fast-paced and evolving industry with such a range of opportunities to learn and get more experience.”