Process automation engineering apprentice, Carla Bernardino, works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Warrington.
Carla started her apprenticeship with Amazon in 2018 and is working towards a qualification to become a process automation engineer after four years of training study with Amazon and Trafford College, Manchester.
Speaking about the Amazon Apprenticeship Programme, Carla said “I’m new to Amazon in Warrington but I’ve already had some great experiences shadowing our automation engineers during their daily site tasks. It’s been fantastic and inspiring to work with such experienced and knowledgeable people and I’m excited for what the future has in store.”
The opportunity to combine learning and qualifications with the practical work is a big bonus
Carla explains that she was over the moon to be selected for a place on the Amazon Apprenticeship Programme. “I have to pinch myself sometimes – it feels like a dream. I love the team here. We’re treated really well and that’s important to me. The opportunity to combine learning and qualifications with the practical work is a big bonus. I’m also enjoying the practical side of things. Some of our training sessions are delivered by Siemens and I really enjoy them.”
Carla’s role at Amazon means she’s working in a field that she’s aspired to be part of since she was a teenager. “I’ve wanted to work in this industry since I was 15. I can’t remember wanting to do anything else and to have an opportunity to work in systems engineering with a company like Amazon really is a dream come true for me.”
Carla is one of over 300 apprentices currently working at Amazon in the UK. Amazon has announced it will create a further 1,000 new apprenticeships for new and existing employees in fulfilment centres and development centres across the country. The new apprentices will add to over 27,500 permanent employees currently in the UK, with pay ranging from an entry level starting salary of £9.50/£10.50 an hour, up to £30,000 a year.
Nine different programmes are on offer across the country to people of all levels, ranging from IT, safety and HR through to software engineering, robotics, leadership and technology.
Two-in-every-ten new apprenticeships will be offered exclusively to Amazon’s existing workforce, providing a route from working on the shop floor through to working on cutting-edge software development, robotics technology and senior leadership roles in the business.
In addition to being fully-funded, apprentices also receive industry-leading benefits including competitive pay, employee discounts, private medical insurance and company pension plan.
For anyone thinking of applying for a place on the Amazon Apprenticeship Programme, Carla has some advice. “If this is your thing, then there’s no better place to do it. Don’t look back, look forward. Put some effort into your application and go for it. You won’t regret it, it’s very rewarding.”
To find out more about the Amazon Apprenticeship Programme visit www.amazon.jobs/apprentices
