Spotlight on Talent – Rais Howitt

Studied: Achieving Together and Level 1 Engineering

Progression : Apprenticeship with the RAF

A tutorial session at Walsall College has proved life-changing for Rais Howitt.  The advice he received led to him joining RAF Cosford as a service-based communications specialist apprentice.

It is a role that will see him involved in supporting the set-up and maintenance of communications systems.  Rais will also be installing communication hardware and software.

“When I first started looking into the kind of job I wanted to do in future, something about aeronautics and aerospace stood out,” said Rais.

His apprenticeship application was an in-depth process that included a Q & A-based assessment, plus fitness and aptitude tests; something he says he found ‘harder than expected’.

“My apprenticeship feels dynamic and looks to the future,” Rais continued.  “Digital skills and working with data are important to lots of jobs now.  It’s why I chose this apprenticeship.”

Rais first came to Walsall College through the Achieving Together programme.  This supports Year 10 and 11 students struggling to succeed in a mainstream education environment.

After completing the programme along with GCSE English and maths, he moved on to his engineering qualification after showing an interest in the practical sides of maths, physics and IT.

“College has been a good learning curve for me,” said Rais.  “It’s changed me as a person.  I’m more self-disciplined and feel I can build trust with others.  I’ve found I can talk to anyone here about anything.”

He added: “The college is great at helping learners in lots of ways such as career guidance, confidence-boosting or any personal issues.”

Following his apprenticeship, Rais has high hopes of progressing onto a more senior position at officer level.

“I definitely want to be the best I can be,” he said.  “I don’t just want to go there and be ‘do the job’, I want to be making something of myself.”