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Leah McFarlane, mechatronics engineering apprentice
Then: Bar staff
Now: Mechatronics engineering apprentice
Leah McFarlane from West Leeds works as a mechatronics engineering apprentice at the Amazon Apprenticeship Academy, rotating between Amazon in Bolton and the company's fulfilment centre in Wakefield. She started her four-year apprenticeship in late 2025.
After finishing high school, Leah went to college where she studied sports and criminology, passing all her qualifications. However, she soon realised further education wasn't for her. She worked as bar staff but didn't enjoy the environment. Her uncle worked for Amazon when the Wakefield site was being built, and he suggested she apply for a role there as it wasn't far from her home in Leeds.
Leah joined Amazon in 2022, and when she found out about the Amazon Apprenticeship programme, she looked into it and discovered the engineering pathway – something she'd always had a passion for and found very interesting.
"I chose an apprenticeship to start my career as I prefer learning on the job and not just in the classroom," Leah said. "This apprenticeship allows me to be hands on with my learning. This works really well for me and allows me to understand further what work it is I'm carrying out."
"I've found the apprenticeship so interesting because now I understand what engineers are doing, and why they're doing it. I love getting my hands dirty and not just sitting around studying. I'm a very practical and visual learner, so if I can physically see something happening, rather than just looking at pictures or drawings, it makes it so much easier."
Outside of work, Leah plays rugby league, a sport she's been dedicated to since she was nine years old. She's played amateur rugby and represented Leeds Rhinos in the U19s Academy. She currently plays for Oulton Raidettes, where the team recently played a touring Australia side. They won the game, and Leah was awarded player of the match.
Leah's advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is clear: "Do lots of research. Don't feel like you have to just stick at one apprenticeship. See what it offers you, what qualifications you get after it, what work you need to put in. Make sure it's something that you will enjoy because it will shape your career."
Then: Fulfilment centre associate
Now: HR people professional apprentice
Shai Coleman from Swindon works on the HR team at the Amazon fulfilment centre in the town. Shai is completing an HR people professional apprenticeship with Amazon through the University of Exeter, which she's due to complete later this year.
Shai left university in 2019 with a psychology degree. When COVID hit, her husband was a graduate at Amazon and she joined the company alongside him as an associate, simply because there weren't many other opportunities available during the pandemic.
She was quickly identified for an HR role at Amazon, but wasn't successful in her first interview. However, the team saw promise and gave her an entry-level role in HR, and she worked her way up to getting a permanent role.
Shai, who was diagnosed with autism a few years ago, said: "I think ultimately it was COVID that led me to Amazon in the first instance, but the pace is quite addictive. Especially with autism, I really like being busy with something. I thrive in the fast-paced environment where there's always something meaningful to work on and room for improvement."
"I never intended to end up in HR," Shai continued. "I just fell into HR, I think like a lot of people do, with no formal qualifications. And then, after being off almost back-to-back for two years of maternity leave, I wanted to do something for myself, to develop myself and have something to validate the years spent in role that says that I'm doing well."
The opportunity for the apprenticeship came up at the perfect time. "I thought it would be silly to not take it. To do that on your own externally, especially with two kids at home, would be impossible. To be able to do it alongside my work has been great."
The flexibility Amazon offers has been crucial for Shai as a working mother. Her manager and team have been incredibly supportive, helping her find what works for her whilst balancing the apprenticeship alongside her work and family commitments.
"Why study in your own time when you can do it whilst you're at work?" Shai said. "It makes so much more sense and integrates into your role. I don't have to make up any time when I've been studying. I'm already at work when I do it, and it's nice that it links in with what I'm doing day to day."
Her advice to other neurodiverse people considering an apprenticeship draws from her own experience: "There are people along the way that will support you. The university has been fantastic – support like nothing I've ever known. Everyone's neurodiverse – we're not all going to be the same. You just have to take the gamble. And if it doesn't pay off, it doesn't pay off. But at least you can say that you've done it."
Then: College leaver
Now: RME mechatronics apprentice
Maleeha Patel from Blackburn works as an RME mechatronics apprentice at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Bolton. Maleeha is completing an RME mechatronics apprenticeship with Amazon, studying at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, and is due to complete her apprenticeship in 2027.
Maleeha left college in 2024, just after turning 18, and knew she didn't want to go to university. She had attended an all-girls high school and college that focused heavily on traditional, theory-based subjects like chemistry, biology, English and history – but not the physics or hands-on learning subjects she was really interested in.
"I left college and came straight to Amazon as an apprentice," Maleeha said. "When I was applying for apprenticeships, I got four other offers from other companies and I am really happy I chose Amazon. I did always have that fear that I might get halfway through an apprenticeship and regret picking this choice, but I don't regret it at all. I've really enjoyed it so far."
"What drew me to Amazon is the location opportunities. There are Amazon sites everywhere, so if I wanted to move around in the future, it'd be easy. The pay is amazing. The course is amazing, especially considering we got to move out to Coventry and a lot of our expenses are taken care of."
Maleeha was one of the youngest on her apprenticeship cohort, which includes people of all ages – the oldest is in their sixties. Many are internal Amazon employees who decided to pursue an apprenticeship after working at the company for several years.
Maleeha is particularly enthusiastic about the shift pattern at Amazon, working four or five days followed by four or five days off. This flexibility allows her to travel frequently – she's recently visited the Maldives and Africa. She recalled one instance where she finished a 12-hour night shift, booked a flight whilst at work, went straight to the airport and flew out for a few days.
Maleeha is passionate about female representation in engineering roles. "I think until you see someone in that role, you can't imagine yourself doing it," she said. "If I stay at Amazon, my long-term goal would be to move up and serve as a role model."
She shared her advice for young women considering apprenticeships: "Don't be scared. There's a common misconception that apprenticeships are just for young school leavers, but that's not the case. We have people from the military, older people who've had their kids grow up and decided to have a career change. Apprenticeships are nothing to fear and they really are for everyone."
Then: Part-time fulfilment centre employee
Now: Area manager completing chartered management degree apprenticeship
Alexandra Herczeg from Dartford works as an area manager at the Amazon fulfilment centre in the town. Alexandra is completing a chartered management degree apprenticeship with Amazon.
Alexandra and her family moved to the UK from Hungary, where she had finished her higher education. The Amazon fulfilment centre in Dartford launched in late 2021, and Alexandra joined a few months later as a part-time employee. It was a practical choice that would allow her to balance being a sole parent with returning to work.
What started as a part-time role quickly became something more as she progressed through critical roles, team leader roles and then the area manager position she holds today.
Alexandra loves her apprenticeship and enjoys the balance it provides to her day job. "Now I have a chance to learn the theory behind what I do practically," Alexandra said. "It's just such a great opportunity to upskill myself and be better. There are so many like-minded people we get to meet, and then down the line we actually end up working together."
Alexandra has also been deeply involved with The Felix Project, Amazon's Multibank partner. This community work, combined with managing her apprenticeship, full-time work and raising her son, formed the basis of her nomination for Chartered Management Degree Apprentice of the Year, where she received the Most Commended Award.
"If you're thinking about it, go for it," Alexandra said. "It's a once in a lifetime opportunity. There are so many benefits – upskilling yourself, getting a diploma or degree, networking opportunities with like-minded people. It's not always easy – you can imagine I'm juggling full-time work with uni and raising Jordan. But I'm so grateful for the opportunity. It's a short-term challenge with the busy schedules, but I know it's a long-term gain."
The Amazon Apprenticeship programme is recognised as one of the UK's top three apprenticeship schemes by the Government's Department for Education.
Young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can also take advantage of the Amazon Supported Internship programme. Launched in 2021, the initiative combines classroom learning with practical work experience, helping interns develop essential skills in English, maths and CV writing, whilst gaining hands-on experience across three operational job functions.
Pay at Amazon starts from £13.95 or £14.96 per hour depending on location, equating to between £29,037 and £31,116 annually. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of a company pension plan.
Applications are now open for Amazon's apprenticeship programme.
For more information, visit www.amazonapprenticeships.co.uk.
