Lancashire apprentice earns top role after graduate success

In 2018 Megan Pearson, 22, from Preston, was part of an initial cohort to be offered a place on the Engineering Degree Apprenticeship Scheme (EDAS) at BAE Systems.

The company created the four-year programme complete with industry placement opportunities across its Warton and Samlesbury sites. Integral to the scheme is the opportunity to study on a bespoke version of UCLan’s Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Software Engineering degree.

Excelling on the programme, based within UCLan’s School of Psychology and Computer Science, Megan not only achieved a first-class degree but also won academic school prizes for best overall performance and best project.

The former Brownedge St. Mary’s High School and Runshaw College pupil said: “The hours spent studying, revising, researching literature and debugging code were genuinely worth it for that great feeling on results day.

“And thanks to the apprenticeship route I’ve achieved a first-class degree without the financial cost. At the same time I’ve developed both my workplace confidence and technical skills.”

Megan is now set to develop her career at BAE Systems having secured a software engineering role upon the completion of her EDAS in September.

“I’m really looking forward to the future now and in particular assisting colleagues with the development and release of software for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft,” she explained.

“In the coming years I’d like to engage with local schools, and lower income families in particular, to spread the message that a university education is an attainable aspiration.

"A growing number of career opportunities are available in the North West via the degree apprenticeship route for anyone who works hard and believes in their potential.”