Name:
Georgiana Seceanu
Age:
25
What is your area of focus / What certifications or qualifications are you working towards?
I went to high school in Romania and graduated there with a Baccalaureate. University wasn’t an option for me, so the plan was to find work and get my career underway.
Fast forward to today, and I’m now currently three years into a four-year engineering apprenticeship at the Pilgrim’s Europe Redruth site in Cornwall. The business has given me the opportunity to train while working, which has been life-changing for me.
The programme is a mix of college and hands-on work. One day a week at college and four days on site, working alongside experienced engineers. The role is really varied, covering electrical and mechanical engineering, plus things like hydraulics, compressed air and setting up machinery.
I’m especially drawn to the electrical side because I enjoy problem-solving and the more technical, detailed work – which is super rewarding when the training and support I’ve received allow me to fix issues and see everything working as it should.
What inspired you to pursue an apprenticeship in food manufacturing?
I didn’t originally think of engineering as a career path. I started out as a packer through an agency, then joined the business as an employee and moved into a machine setter role. That progression was really important for me and gave me exposure to different parts of the operation.
That gave me exposure to lots of different machinery work such as setting speeds, working with film, learning how the lines run – and it helped me realise I really enjoyed the practical side and understanding how machines work.
My colleagues are super supportive and originally encouraged me to apply because they could see I was good with my hands and enjoyed the practical side of things. Having that encouragement and belief from people around me made a huge difference and gave me the confidence to take the next step.
How did you find out about this apprenticeship programme?
I found out about it through my progression on site. When I was working as a machine setter, I worked closely with the engineering team and got more and more exposure to what they do.
That’s when the opportunity came up, and I was encouraged to go for it. Pilgrim’s Europe supported me through the application process, which included putting together a CV and doing a practical test, which I passed, and now here I am.
What are some of the key skills you’ve learned so far?
I’ve learned a lot across both mechanical and electrical work, and I’ve also built confidence in troubleshooting. One of the biggest things has been learning how to work through a problem when you don’t immediately know what’s wrong, it could be anything, so you have to stay calm and work it through step by step.
Another key skill has been communication. When I first started, I only had conversational English, and engineering has lots of specialist terms, so it was really challenging at first. Pilgrim’s Europe gave me the time and support to build confidence, and my language skills have improved significantly, especially my technical vocabulary, which is essential in engineering for understanding problems quickly and clearly explaining what I’m doing.
I’ve learned a lot by speaking with colleagues, asking questions, and even watching films with subtitles.
How has your mentor or trainer supported your growth?
The support from colleagues with more experience has made a huge difference. People have been really open with their knowledge – they’ll explain things, offer help, and share what they know.
Knowledge is there for everyone, it’s not a secret. There’s a real culture of support for apprentices at Pilgrim’s Europe, and they know that if they teach me, I’ll be able to do more and support the team more, so it benefits everyone.
Overcoming the language barrier and improving my English-speaking skill is something I’m really proud of, and it’s something my colleagues and mentors have supported me with throughout my apprenticeship, as it doesn’t just help at work, it has obviously helped me day to day outside of my busy career!
What has been the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship?
The most rewarding moments are when you get called to a line, you’re not sure at first what the issue is, but you manage to work it out and get things running again. It’s a great feeling when the problem is solved and you know you’ve helped keep production moving.
I also really like the variety in food manufacturing – you’re working on different machines and systems all the time, and it keeps every day interesting. Thanks to the training and trust I’ve been given, there’s a real sense of pride when you see products on the shelves and know you’ve played a part in making sure the equipment was running effectively to produce them.
Where do you see yourself in five years within the food industry?
I want to keep progressing in engineering and continue building my skills, especially on the electrical side. I’m still learning, so I’m open-minded about what the next step looks like – but I know I want to keep developing and taking opportunities as they come.
It’s also been really motivating to be recognised along the way. Last year my manager nominated me for the Women in Meat Awards, which meant a lot and gave me extra confidence that I’m on the right path.
