Name:

Colleen O’Boyle

From:

Clonoe

Job title:

Apprentice – Manufacturing Engineer

Details of current role:

As Manufacturing Engineer, one of my primary roles is to make the workplace and our procedures more efficient.

That incorporates overseeing the manufacturing timings of machines, ISO9001 compliance and standard working procedures.

I started my apprenticeship with Mallaghan in 2017 and am currently on the HLA Apprenticeship undertaking a Foundation Degree in Engineering.

What does a typical day entail?

A typical day as a manufacturing engineer includes attending production meetings in order to find the best solution to potential issues.

It also includes making important decisions quickly to ensure production does not stop. This means talking to my colleagues on the shop floor to properly analyse the issue and work as a team in order to find the best solution.

Why is what you do important?

This role ensures constant improvement of processes and procedures which allows Mallaghan to be more efficient as a business, but it also means we can provide a better service to our customers.

What are the biggest challenges/pressures of your job?

Trying to find the best and most efficient solution. This is the ultimate aim an focus of all we do and we spend a lot of time working on this to make sure we get it right.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Everyday has a different challenge. Whilst our business is Ground Support Equipment, we have customers in more than 100 countries across the world and their needs and requirements are entirely unique.

What would you want to let other people know about working at Mallaghan?

The industry is constantly changing which means every day can be completely different. But everyone at Mallaghan is really friendly and supportive which is a huge help.

It’s a great company to work for and the work is rather specialist in Northern Ireland.

How would you describe working at Mallaghan in 5 words?

Interesting, challenging, exciting, progressive and good.

What do you feel the opportunities are for females in the predominantly male manufacturing industry?

Whilst this is undoubtedly a male dominated industry, the opportunities are the same for females. When I started working at Mallaghan, there were a lot more female employees than I had initially expected which was really encouraging.

What advice would you give to someone looking to follow your career path?

Just go for it. Like any role, it has its challenges but it’s worth it.

You were recently recognised at the NI Apprentice Awards – what does this mean to you and to the company?

It was a great experience and I was very privileged to have won the Higher Level Apprentice Award. Mallaghan was very supportive and the opportunities provided by the team throughout my apprenticeship enabled me to develop professionally and ultimately led to my nomination.

 

For more information about career opportunities at Mallaghan, please contact the team at: recruitment@mallaghanGSE.com