Faces of the Future: Leap of faith

On International Women in Engineering Day, Claire Louise Beard talks about her career change to engineering – and how you shouldn't let anything hold you back!

Since joining British Gas, most of my time has been spent at Leicester Academy, 200 miles from home. Staying away Monday to Friday means a normal day starts with virtually spending time with my family first thing and seeing my two teenagers off to college. Mainly my day involves going to the academy, where theory and practical training is delivered by experienced engineers, followed by an evening relaxing at the hotel and micromanaging my children online. There are no messy bedrooms or dodging homework because Mum is away for the week!

Along with my relocation last year I knew I wanted a different career. With my transferrable skills I knew I wanted to work in a customer focused environment. So when I saw the apprenticeship vacancies at British Gas, I was drawn to learning something new in a completely different sector, which would give me that customer interaction as well.

Before joining British Gas, I was employed by Tesco for 18 years. I enjoyed working my way around various departments in store, while having the flexibility to be at home to raise my children. The best thing about working in retail was the customer interaction, no two days were the same.

I love having the opportunity to have conversations with our customers about their energy consumption. Knowing that because of my visit they could reduce their carbon emissions, which will also financially benefit them and that every slight change they make will benefit the environment, really excites me. With the world moving into a carbon neutral future it's a really interesting time to join British Gas, especially with the opportunities to cross skill into electric vehicle charging and heat pump installations.

The best thing about being an apprentice at British Gas is the unlimited support I get from everyone, not just the instructors at the academy, who are there to guide me through but my mentors and my manager, who all go above and beyond to give me the best possible start. The people that are employed by British Gas are a great testimony to the fact that it's a great company to work for. 

I would whole heartedly, unreservedly, without a shadow of a doubt advise people to take the leap of faith into a new career and don’t let anything hold you back! The training at British Gas is second to none and it’s delivered so seamlessly and inclusively that you wouldn’t feel new to the sector for long.

So, what are you waiting for? Start your journey today and apply here.