A BUDDING engineer from Holyhead will be helping scientists unlock the secrets of the universe as he begins an apprenticeship with the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

Peter Jenkins, 19, is set to work as an engineer in STFC’s Daresbury laboratory, known for its research into accelerator science.

He has just completed the first year of his level three diploma in mechanical engineering at Coleg Menai’s Llangefni campus.

As part of his course, he worked on the white-knuckle ride Oblivion at Alton Towers, and qualified for the WorldSkills UK national finals in industrial robotics.

Peter also won the Engineering prize at the college’s annual Achievers’ Awards.

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He will now spend a year studying with STFC, before getting to work creating parts for particle accelerator laboratories across the world.

Peter said: “The first year is purely college work, then I’ll be moving onto mechatronics which is a mix between mechanical and electronic engineering.

“I tried sixth form for two years, but it wasn’t for me. I thought I was over the age range for college but everyone’s been really supportive, it’s been amazing.

“Everyone’s been really welcoming and wanted to push me as much as they can. It’s been the same for everyone, they really want everyone to do their best.”

One of the highlights of the course for Peter was his work placement at Alton Towers, which reaffirmed his ambition to work in engineering.

He said: “I shadowed the engineers on various rides, helping them with engineering maintenance and helping to repair ride vehicles and do safety checks.

“I was mainly working on Oblivion, and I helped with Skyride, too. 

“It feels like a lot of pressure when people have been queuing for hours for rides! But it was very interesting - it really helped me figure out that engineering is what I want to do.”

Peter excelled in skills competitions during his time at college, along with his course-mate, Sion Elias.

They won silver in Industrial Robotics in Skills Competition Wales in February, before going one better in the WorldSkillsUK regional qualifiers, winning their heat to qualify for November’s national finals.

In Skills Competition Wales, Peter and Sion had to use a robotic arm to safely move industrial waste barrels from one pallet to the next, and dispatch onto a truck without any human interaction.

In the WorldSkills UK qualifier, they were tasked with moving a cylinder from one pallet to another and then through a maze, without touching the sides of the maze.

They were the only competitors in their heat who managed to complete the demanding and intricate task.

Peter said: “It helped me with working under pressure.

“There are lots of people watching you but you can’t ask them any questions, and that helped me figure out that working under pressure, you don’t have to do anything different, you don’t have to change anything.”