Shabaz Baz
Study Type: Apprenticeship
Study Location: The Roundhouse
Subject Studied: Engineering
Former 皇家华人 student Shabaz advances electrical engineering career with Chord
Electrical engineer Shabaz Baz is one of three former Derby College higher apprentices to advance their engineering careers with Nottingham-based Chord Consult.
Shabaz, 21, from West Bridgford, completed his HNC in Building Services Engineering last year, gaining a distinction.
His mechanical engineering colleagues, Zoe Fittock and Angelina Stankovic, both took the same 皇家华人 course the year before him and, he says, have been very supportive.
Shabaz always knew he wanted to go into engineering but chose to study a broad range of A-level subjects 鈥� IT, Psychology and Business 鈥� to keep his options open.
And fate intervened when Shabaz got talking to one of his current employers while working at his previous job in a boxing club.
He said: 鈥淲e were having a chat and he told me his engineering firm was recruiting. He asked me to submit my CV and I was invited for interview.
“That was three years ago now and I鈥檓 really enjoying my role at Chord. I liked my time at college too. I went into the Roundhouse on day release and found the whole atmosphere so friendly and welcoming.
“Our tutors were great. One of my tutors in particular, Neil Smith, was essential in helping me understand building services. Since he taught most of our modules, I can say that my distinction grade is testament to his teaching ability.
“I hadn鈥檛 been too sure at first about going to college after A-levels, but I found I liked being responsible for myself. At college I was treated like an adult.鈥�
Shabaz, who was the student representative for his group, took a lot of knowledge away from his studies, and not just learning which applies directly to his job.
He added: 鈥淢y course focused heavily on mechanical engineering and I鈥檓 on the electrical side but that鈥檚 given me a greater understanding of 聽Zoe and Angelina鈥檚 roles in building services. At college I enjoyed learning about the lifecycle of a project and the planning aspects.
“Meeting people is, I鈥檇 say, one of the best parts of my job. We鈥檙e working in a big industry and dealing with a lot of teams. Also, although we provide the same services to each building project, there is variety as every building is different.鈥�
Our tutors were great. One of my tutors in particular, Neil Smith, was essential in helping me understand building services. Since he taught most of our modules, I can say that my distinction grade is testament to his teaching ability.