It is the first anniversary of our colleague Ade Elsley’s passing and we still have many reasons to be grateful for his legacy.
On the 18th of May, the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) celebrated the graduation of Hareet Ravrani, following the completion of his formal Mechanical Engineering Apprenticeship.
Throughout his training at MRC Harwell, Hareet has excelled both academically and practically. He is now a highly skilled, fully qualified mechanical technician, supporting all laboratory and estate functions on site, and playing a key role as one of the on-call engineers providing 24/7 engineering support. His achievements are a testament to the high standards of training available at the MLC.
Hareet’s day-to-day role involves the maintenance, repair and ongoing support of the mechanical plant and services on site, including heating, ventilation, cooling, steam, process equipment and building management systems.
The apprenticeship is a four-year-long traineeship in which learners undertake a series of examinations and practical assessments to demonstrate competency and skills. Hareet obtained the highest standards throughout his training, resulting in three award nominations from his training provider—The Engineering Trust—for Apprentice of the Year. In 2022, he was also ‘Highly Commended’ in the Trevor Woodger Award for Career Progression.
Hareet was presented with his completed MRC Apprenticeship Deeds by Sara Wells (Director of the MLC and the Centre for Macaques) and with his Engineering Trust Awards by his Training Officer, Mark Carpenter. The Medical Research Council was represented by Susan Simon, MRC Head of Capital and Estates.
Well done, Hareet!
When asked to summarise his experience of his apprenticeship at the MLC, Hareet explained.
“The past four years have flown by – I thoroughly enjoy my role working at the MLC in the Estates team where the diversity of the work and the systems we maintain have enabled me (to) develop a broad understanding of Engineering theory whilst feeling like I am making a difference to the operation of the highly complex life science research unit.”
The MLC is very proud of our apprenticeship scheme and of all our current and past apprentices. It has proved to be a great success since our—and indeed the MRC’s—first apprentice in 2009, and our Engineering and Estates department is still represented by beneficiaries of the scheme. The MRC apprenticeship scheme was conceived and championed by the late Ade Elsley; he considered this to be one of his proudest achievements, and its legacy will live on in his memory.
The apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic route to learning with a hands-on practical focus, providing opportunities for the next generation of engineers to support the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell.
