A 19-YEAR-OLD engineering apprentice from Burnley is hoping to take his career one step further by combining his work with a university degree.

Sam O'Leary, a former Gawthorpe High School pupil, will start a degree at Leeds University this autumn, while continuing with his job at Hycrome Europe Ltd in Burnley. Sam had started A-levels in French and business studies, but soon realised he had made the wrong move and, following careers advice from Connexions, decided to pursue his interest in engines and got a job as an apprentice at Hycrome Europe.

His job involved machining chrome-plated valve parts for the aerospace and industrial sectors. Sam was invited to start a Modern Apprenticeship in mechanical engineering with Pendle Training. He completed his NVQ Level 3 engineering units, started to work towards his NVQ Level 3 maintenance and repair units and was offered the position of logistics controller in the turbine department.

He also finds time to do an HNC in mechanical engineering one day per week and is regularly monitored by Pendle Training.

Sam will start university in September where he will study aeronautical engineering at Leeds University one day a week. He said: "The apprenticeship has enabled me to progress very quickly, gain a valuable qualification and you get the chance to work with experienced people who you can learn from."

His manager, Stephen Kelly, said : "Sam has set an excellent example, progressing well with both his work and his education, matching his skills to a technical role here at Hycrome."