Thales in the UK’s, Andrew Smyth, Manufacturing Apprentice at our Northern Ireland site in Belfast, was invited by the Skills and Education Group (a sector in the Department for the Economy) to speak to an audience of apprentices’, trainees and people in education post the age of 16. The panel was held at Queen’s University Belfast, as part of an away day to raise awareness on the alternative routes to careers such as engineering apprenticeships.

Andrew Smyth is the winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award at the Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Awards in 2024 (NIAA). He joined Thales in 2021 and carried out his Level 2 Manufacturing qualifications before progressing to the Level 3 and specialising in the electrical field. He is the first apprentice in Belfast that has been given the opportunity to work with Thales Alenia Space (TAS), where he has been able to develop his knowledge and skillset in electrical assembly. For the final year of his apprenticeship, Andrew has been given the opportunity to challenge his skills and expand his experience working in the Manufacturing Engineering department for TAS projects. 

Andrew has been a fundamental member of the Early Careers Team in Northern Ireland, sharing his story and promoting apprenticeships at Thales across the region. 

Visit our apprenticeships page to find out more.