June 2023
Joel’s Story
By Joel Smith
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Joel Smith
Lego builder to engineer-in-training
From loving Lego and fixing his bike himself as a child, Joel developed a growing curiosity about building and making things – now he’s getting distinctions as an engineer-in-training at University College Birmingham.
When he finished school in Sutton Coldfield, he wanted a fresh start somewhere new and started looking at a college courses that could help him realise his dream of becoming a successful engineer.
“I first saw the engineering course at University College Birmingham on social media and it looked really interesting,” he said. “I live in Erdington, so it was easy to get to, and it has so many places to eat and visit around the college.
“At the open day, the tutors were so lovely, as well as at my interview.”
Joel enrolled on the engineering BTEC and has been studying subjects including materials and their properties, computer-aided manufacturing, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics including 3D printing, microcontrollers and, to strengthen his employability, business, commercial and financial awareness.
Ultimately, the engineering college course is designed with employers in such a way that students can go straight into a career as a production engineer with the likes of BMW or Siemens when they finish.
“We’ve had guest speakers from industry as well as one from a university that came to talk to us about engineering and the environment,” he said. “This included looking at renewables used in engineering to lower emissions.
“I never thought I could get into an area like this.”
Student support, for which University College Birmingham is award-winning, is also something that stands out for Joel.
“My tutors are very supportive and if I don’t understand something or need some guidance, they will come to help me,” he said.
“I also use the Academic Skills Centre (ASC) and I have received a travelcard from the college that allows me to travel for free, which is really useful.”
“After this, I would like to pursue an apprenticeship or a degree and go into improving engineering components used in car maintenance.”