Navigating a new life: Alasdair is on course for career success after Graduate Apprenticeship
After battling an extreme neurological illness in his teens, a Graduate Apprenticeship job has given Alasdair McMonagle a new direction in life.
Alasdair is steering himself to a bright future at BAE Systems in Glasgow where he’s delivering an international programme for the Royal Canadian Navy.
His decisions have already avoided costly rework, improved processes that have been embedded across his team and he has established him as a trusted technical voice.
Determined Alasdair faced huge challenges spending years out of education and working hard to regain not just knowledge, but belief in himself.
Alasdair experienced a neurological brain injury that resulted in repeated hospital stays between the ages of 14 and 16, including one lasting four months. He also relied on a wheelchair regularly from age 13 to 17.
While in hospital, and on trips outside in his wheelchair, he would see BAE ships at Scotstoun, sparking an interest in shipbuilding.
In sixth year, he learned about apprenticeships from a Skills Development Scotland careers adviser before attending a BAE early careers event.
He later secured his dream role with a Graduate Apprenticeship in Engineering Design and Manufacture with BAE and the University of Strathclyde.
Alasdair’s apprenticeship offered a path to pursue a passion for engineering in a supportive and structured environment.
Alasdair, who lives in Glasgow, said: “Looking back, before my apprenticeship, I’m like a completely different person. For so long I felt like a lost cause.”
The inspirational engineer earned a first-class honours degree, with his final-year project graded as ‘excellent’.
The 23 year old said: “I’m passionate about Graduate Apprenticeships – in no other pathway can you take the reins of real responsibility. My apprenticeship allowed me to build my academic knowledge and navigate the workplace.
“My apprenticeship has also given me independence and life experience. Earning a wage has enabled me to buy my own flat and go on more holidays. Being able support myself was so important for me.”
In his role as Navigation System Owner at BAE, Alasdair ensures cabling design, compartment layouts and design changes are delivered safely, accurately and on schedule.
A standout achievement on his apprenticeship was leading the Compartment Plan Approval (CPA) process, coordinating and directing multidisciplinary engineering teams, running daily progress meetings, allocating resources, applying complex modelling techniques and resolving issues to ensure the project was compliant and delivered to deadline.
His team now uses the review method he created as their standard process.
Alasdair said: “Leading the meetings was a culmination of all the skills I’d developed in my apprenticeship.
“People have trust and confidence in me, and I feel like an integral part of the team.”
BAE Systems’ Early Careers and Skills Development Coach (Engineering) Sarah Shields said: “Alasdair has demonstrated exceptional growth throughout his Graduate Apprenticeship, turning early challenges into a strong foundation of technical capability and professional confidence.
“Alasdair’s enthusiasm for learning and dedication to continuous improvement make him an invaluable member of the team and an outstanding example of apprenticeship success, with clear potential for a promising future in engineering.”
University of Strathclyde’s Graduate Apprenticeship (Engineering Design and Manufacture) Programme Director Dr Susanne Boyle added: “Alasdair’s development underpinned by the programme’s work-based learning enabled him to successfully design and execute two industry-based projects of strategic significance to BAE Systems.”
Graduate Apprenticeships are a way to get qualified up to Master’s degree level while in paid employment. Designed by education and employers, Graduate Apprenticeships are working for Scotland by supporting key sectors that need highly skilled workforces.
Head of Early Careers at BAE Systems Phil Brown said: “There’s a skills shortage within the defence industry and apprenticeships allow us to grow our own talent to meet demand. Our programme gives them the best possible chance to succeed while supercharging the skills of our workforce.”
Alasdair is applying for Incorporated Engineer registration and plans to do a part-time Master’s degree to deepen his technical expertise and prepare for senior roles.
This year, he aims to be promoted to Senior Engineer and longer term, a manager combining technical authority with strategic leadership.
Alasdair said: “I have confidence in myself now and want to go all the way to the top.”
Alasdair McMonagle is a finalist in the Graduate Apprentice of the Year category at this year’s Scottish Apprenticeship Awards in association with SP Energy Networks.
The awards take place on 26 February as the launch event for Scottish Apprenticeship Week (2 to 6 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards