A West Cumbrian engineering firm’s offices have been revamped, thanks to its young apprentice.
React Engineering entrusted 19-year-old Charlotte Nann to lead the major overhaul to make it a more attractive environment for workers returning after months of working from home.
As part of the phased renovation, offices and all communal areas have been refurbished. The reception area, kitchen and meeting rooms will be improved as part of the next stage.
Charlotte is working through a four-year degree apprenticeship in project management.
She said: “The idea was to brighten the office and make it more welcoming for people returning, and make them feel like they wanted to come into work wherever possible. It was a nice way of the company saying thank you for all the hard work under tough circumstances during the pandemic.
“I was amazed when I was asked to lead the project and couldn’t quite believe it, because major jobs like this are usually carried out by senior members of staff. Instead, they asked me who had finished school less than two years ago!
“It was daunting at first but it has boosted my confidence so much to know that the team at React have so much faith in me, and it’s really encouraging signs for my future in the industry.”
Charlotte was initially planning a career in nursing while at St Benedict’s Catholic High School, in Whitehaven.
However, her thought process changed after learning more about React through initiatives run by the company’s charitable organisation React Foundation.
The foundation, run by volunteers with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers in the area through fun activities and initiatives, awards a student in each high school in West Cumbria a bursary of £200 to encourage more young people to study STEM subjects.
Charlotte was chosen as one of the recipients after selecting biology and maths, as well as health and social care, for her A-levels.
From there, Charlotte took part in the Foundation’s ICanToo programme, a week-long series of activities around maths and science, and, having impressed, she was invited to discuss apprenticeship opportunities with React.
Studying remotely one day a week with the University of Cumbria, Charlotte is thriving by learning on the job and is enjoying the change of career path.
She said: “When I was at school, I never would have thought this would have been the career I had chosen but React opened my eyes to a whole load of opportunities I didn’t know existed on our doorstep.
“There’s much more to the business than technical engineering, so many other job roles exist whether in project management, marketing, office administration or finance.
“I am really enjoying my time working at React and I want to progress my project management qualifications as far as I can. The support network at React is amazing and I feel like I can always go to them with anything, and I am so grateful and thankful for the opportunity.”
Phil Redfern, managing director of React Engineering, said: “Charlotte is a shining example for young people that you can forge a good career by showing a great deal of willingness and enthusiasm to learn.
“Charlotte joined the company during lockdown so it would have been daunting operating remotely, but she has got her head down and worked hard, and we are all reaping the rewards of that.
“She has shown great potential already and the future is very bright for her. We have been really impressed with the maturity and professionalism she has shown during the refurbishment project, and we fully trust her with every task she undertakes.”
