What are you responsible for in your job ? What does that involve, what do you do, who with ?
"I am a skilled engineer, currently a CNC machinist for BWT Alpine F1 Team. I am responsible for making parts for the A522, correct to an engineering drawing. My job involves setting up machine tools, creating programs on the machine to remove areas of material from a stock bar to produce a component. I work in the machine shop on the turning section with five of my colleagues. My job is very fast paced as the parts need to be manufactured in time for the next race weekend. It is a really fun and thrilling career."

Describe a typical day in your job.
"The first task is to select the job that has the highest priority and needs machining straight away. I will then check material stock to ensure the part can be made, next I will create a program and build tooling then manufacture the component. Finally, I will inspect the part to ensure it is correct to the technical engineering drawing before sending the part to the next operation."

How did you get the job ? What is your background and why did you take this job ?
"I completed a practical apprenticeship at Rolls-Royce plc in the aerospace industry. I did various machining roles within the company, both milling, turning and grinding. I applied for the job at BWT Alpine F1 Team and was lucky enough to be successful. This was an opportunity of a lifetime. I wanted to challenge myself ; moving home, making new friends and learning the fast-paced job in the motorsport industry, my job is very rewarding."

What is your most memorable moment…
"In 2016 I won the Gold Medal in the CNC Turning at the World Skills UK competition ; I think it is a great achievement to be the first girl to win. By biggest achievement is getting the machinist job at BWT Alpine F1 Team as I was the first women in the machine shop."

And the worst part of your job… ?
"The workload and pressure can be challenging, resulting in work colleagues being stressed. The atmosphere can be difficult to work in at times. However, I try to keep positive and encourage high morale within the team."

The best part of your job then…
"My most memorable moment was at the start of February 2022 testing, my manager asked me to manufacture a job in a specific time frame as it needed to be on a plane to Barcelona for the test the same day. The pressure was exciting and the achievement was instantly rewarding."

What do you do after work ? How do you unwind ?
"I play for a local netball team midweek and walking my dog in the evenings after work. I have a campervan and enjoy travelling at the weekends – I love being outdoors."

What do you do before going to sleep ?
"Watch a film or series with a brew and a biscuit."

Plan B… If you weren’t doing your job, what would you have done instead ?
"I really enjoyed the practical subjects at high school, I always knew I wanted a ‘hands-on’ career as I have a desire to achieve perfection. I would be a jewellery maker to bring together beauty and precision."