From school to award-winning apprentice at Plexus

In this case study we feature Callum Watson from Plexus. Callum is a 2nd year apprentice on our Engineering Design and Manufacture (Mechanical) programme. The case study also features Gail Traynor (Employer Learning and Development Manager).

In the case study, Callum highlights how he has gone from studying for Highers to become an award-winning apprentice.

Can you give us some background what you were doing before your Graduate Apprenticeship at Plexus?

Before starting my Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) at Plexus, I was studying for my Highers in my 5th year of high school with the view of applying for a traditional engineering degree. I was also working towards my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award part of which involved volunteering with the British Heart Foundation.

Where did you hear about Graduate Apprenticeships as an option?

I first discovered GAs at a school careers event, where I met two Plexus apprentices. Hearing about their journey inspired me to pivot from my plan of a traditional degree to this more dynamic path.

What was it about the Graduate Apprenticeship that appealed to you the most?

What appealed to me was the ability to work and study simultaneously. I’m able to have a hands-on, job which is directly related to my passion for engineering while working towards a degree in the same timeframe as a traditional undergraduate course. The fact that I can earn a salary while gaining four years of industry experience felt like a massive bonus and an option I just couldn't ignore once I heard about it.

Did you ever consider a traditional degree?

Prior to discovering the GA programme, I had my heart set on a traditional university route. I was under the impression that it was the best way to reach a leadership position later in my professional career. However, I’ve since realised that the GA path offers the best of both worlds; I am achieving the same academic qualification while gaining fantastic practical on-the-job skills.

Please describe what you are employed to do in your current role

When I first joined Plexus, I had the exceptional opportunity to spend my first nine months rotating through a multitude of different departments. This rotation gave me a vital understanding of how the company operates as a whole.

This broad foundation has allowed me to excel in my current role as a Test Engineer where I work as part of a collaborative team. I help implement and maintain complex test solutions to play my part in ensuring that every product Plexus ships to its customers is fully functional and of the highest quality.

My role is highly varied, but my core responsibilities include:

• Customer Engagement: Communicating directly with customers to understand requirements and provide updates.
• Technical Execution: Developing and executing test procedures for complex systems.
• Operational Excellence: Ensuring all test equipment is fully functional and performing testing to ensure products are of the highest quality and shipment deadlines are met.

How you have coped with the challenges of balancing working whilst studying towards a degree?

In my experience, balancing the workload of a degree with a full-time job is manageable provided you manage your time effectively. A significant advantage of the Graduate Apprenticeship is the shift away from traditional exam blocks to a work-based learning format which allows the coursework to be spread more evenly across the year.

Furthermore, the culture at Plexus is incredibly supportive not only do I get an additional study day which most employers don't offer; my colleagues understand the demands of the balancing act and are always willing to offer guidance, making the transition from school to professional life an enjoyable journey.

What is your proudest achievement to date in your role?

My proudest achievement to date was being named the Plexus Apprentice of the Year 2025. Receiving this recognition from the Plexus team was a fantastic honour and a significant milestone in my career.

Where do you feel you have grown and improved the most through this apprenticeship experience?

The area where I have seen the most significant growth is undoubtedly my personal confidence, particularly my professional communication.

Coming straight from 5th year, the transition to a corporate environment was a big step. However, through the apprenticeship, I have moved from observing meetings to actively participating in them. A clear example of this is my ability to communicate directly with customers and collaborate with senior engineers to solve technical issues. I no longer feel like 'just a student'; I feel like a professional peer who can provide positive change to Plexus.

This growth isn't limited to the office and shopfloor; the confidence I’ve gained at Plexus has also improved my academic work. I am now much more comfortable presenting my findings and defending my technical decisions in my university reports, as I can back them up with real-world experience and have the confidence to do so.

Has your Graduate Apprenticeship enabled you to take on additional responsibilities?

My improved personal confidence, understanding of the business and the programmes we offer have provided me the opportunity to join the STEM committee. This frequently involves supporting outreach events aimed at inspiring, educating and recruiting the next generation of engineers.

Can you outline what support and encouragement your employer and the Uni has given you in your GA journey?

The support from both Heriot-Watt and Plexus has been instrumental in my journey. At university, the smaller class sizes create a focused and open learning environment where questions are appreciated. The lecturers are proactive, often going the extra mile to ensure we understand how to apply academic theory to our specific workplace projects. For more challenging subjects like Mathematics, the availability of extra support classes has been invaluable in bridging any knowledge gaps.

At the same time, Plexus has proven to be a fantastic environment for a Graduate Apprentice. With a successful history of supporting GA students for the past seven years, they have a robust system of frequent check-ins and mentorship in place. What I appreciate most is that I am encouraged to play a vital, active role in engineering projects rather than just shadowing others. At Plexus, you truly get out what you put in; the company has given me the opportunity to take ownership of my work whilst still providing the safety net of an experienced team to support any questions which makes it the perfect learning environment.

What are your future career hopes and goals on completion of the Graduate Apprenticeship?

The Next Five Years: Upon completing my Graduate Apprenticeship, my immediate goal is to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status through the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Having already built a foundation of practical experience, a strong aim of mine is to then progress into a leadership position where I can take on greater responsibility for engineering projects.

Long-term Vision: Looking further ahead, I plan to utilise my experience to lead teams across various functions of the business. My goal is to help strengthen the company’s operations while simultaneously inspiring the next generation of engineers. I want to create an environment where everyone interested in personal development can thrive, just as my mentors have done for me.

The GA Advantage: Had I chosen a traditional undergraduate route, I would not only be four years behind in my career progression, but I would have missed out on the vital industry experience that comes from working alongside world-class engineers every day. The Graduate Apprenticeship hasn't just given me a head start; it has given me a level of professional maturity that a classroom alone simply cannot provide.

How would you sum up your overall experience of the Graduate Apprenticeship programme?

For me this experience is truly the best of both worlds—I am developing my academic understanding at Heriot-Watt while simultaneously making a real-world impact at Plexus. It has been, without a doubt, the best possible start to my career.

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