A Distinction That Lights the Way for Future Engineers

Finlay Robson, 20, from Tow Law, is building a successful engineering career through an apprenticeship at Thorn Lighting, achieving a Distinction and progressing to higher-level technical study with South West Durham Training.

At just 20-years old, Finlay Robson, from Tow Law, is already carving out an impressive future in engineering.

His passion for the subject began during his time studying engineering at Wolsingham School, where he first discovered his interest in how things work and how they are made.

After leaving school, Finlay initially chose a different pathway at an alternative provision.

However, he soon realised that the course wasn’t the right fit for him. Determined to pursue a career in engineering, he applied for an apprenticeship at Thorn Lighting through the government’s Find an Apprenticeship service.

After he successfully navigating the interview process, he secured the position of Controls and Software Apprentice.

South West Durham Training (SWDT) has collaborated with Thorn Lighting for many years to deliver high-quality engineering apprenticeships. Jo Renforth (Head of HR at Thorn Lighting) said: "Thorn really see the value in apprenticeships and the importance of nurturing young talent and developing them over the years.

Apprentices can have a tremendous impact on business success. In fact, our Manufacturing Engineering Manager started off as an apprentice." Finlay began studying his Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Technician-Technical Support at SWDT, where he immersed himself in a wide range of technical subjects.

During his first year, he completed several Level 2 practical units on a Maintenance Pathway, gaining valuable hands-on experience in mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as design.

It was the electrical unit that truly ‘sparked’ his interest, helping shape the direction of his future career. Thorn Lighting Ltd, part of the global Zumtobel Group, supplies innovative luminaires and integrated control systems for both indoor and outdoor environments.

In his role at Thorn, Finlay contributes to a variety of technical tasks, from supporting production with test equipment to building new test machines for production lines.

His work involves wiring electrical control panels, programming PLCs, configuring SCADA systems, writing Python scripts, and using design software such as AutoCAD (2D) and CREO (3D).

Finlay said: "The apprenticeship was really interesting and insightful as everything was new to me. It has been a great learning experience and has challenged me throughout. Staff at SWDT were always happy to support with answering questions and providing guidance throughout the course. I am grateful for the practical opportunities I gained whilst at SWDT as it has enabled me to be more proficient in my role at Thorn."

Finlay’s hard work and commitment resulted in an outstanding achievement having completed his apprenticeship with an overall Distinction grade, an exceptional accomplishment in such a demanding discipline.

Leah Scott (Lecturer at SWDT) said: "Finlay is always hardworking and consistently supportive of his peers. He is a genuinely friendly person to be around and brings a positive attitude to every session. His genuine interest in learning and developing his engineering skills has been evident throughout his apprenticeship, and his technical capabilities have continually improved. It has been a pleasure to support Finlay on his journey." Now progressing onto a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) with SWDT, Finlay continues to build on his impressive achievements.

"I hope to progress in my company and further my knowledge and skills with further study in the future," Finlay said. With his dedication, curiosity, and rapidly developing technical expertise, Finlay is well on his way to a successful and rewarding engineering career.