Breaking the Mold: Anisha's Journey from Teaching Assistant to Multi-Award Winning Engineer at Williams Jet Tenders
FROM CURIOSITY TO CONFIDENCE Anisha Roberts; An Apprentice Engineer Leading Change in a Male-Dominated Industry
WHY REPRESENTATION MATTERS Anisha's Mission to Inspire the Next Generation of Engineers
THE POWER OF APPRENTICESHIPS How Anisha Found Her Calling in Engineering
Breaking the Mold: Anisha's Journey from Teaching Assistant to Multi-Award Winning Engineer at Williams Jet Tenders
(Photo courtesy of Enginuity)
Anisha Roberts As an Engineer at Williams Jet Tenders, a leading SME in the marine industry, she is making waves—quite literally—by mastering every step of the manufacturing process for luxury yacht tenders. From learning intricate composite techniques to designing parts in CAD, Anisha’s passion for engineering is matched only by her determination to break barriers in this typically male-dominated field. A champion of lifelong learning and a proud advocate for women in STEM, she balances her thriving career with a commitment to inspiring others. This is Anisha, sharing her journey from a teaching assistant to Apprentice Engineer, a House of Commons speaker and a voice for the future of the industry. With a love for solving problems and a mission to prove that engineering is for everyone. Anisha’s story is as motivating as it is impressive. Q&A with Anisha Who is your employer? I work for Williams Jet Tenders, an SME of about 140 people who make tenders that are used on yachts. What is your job title? I’m an Apprentice Engineer, undertaking an EAL level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering.
What are your current job responsibilities? Currently, I'm working my way around the factory learning the full process of building our tenders, from composites to fitting the engines to designing parts in CAD. I’ve also been lucky enough to learn how to make the silicone bags that are used in our infusion process. This is a very specialised process and I'm one of only a few people in the company who know how to manufacture them. I’m also doing some work for our Manufacturing Engineering team which is such an exciting opportunity as I'm learning so much that I wouldn’t otherwise be exposed to. I love to get involved in processes and efficiency improvements. What were your interests at a young age, and how did they guide you to your current position?
What inspired you to join the industry? Much to my parents' exasperation, I was the ‘why?’ kid. I wanted to know everything! My nan and grandad’s house was always full of weird and wonderful things. I could often be found digging through cupboards, looking for something new and interesting to tinker with. I’ve never liked throwing things away, so I will always try and fix something first and I enjoy the satisfaction of making something work again or even finding a different use for it. I think something that also drew me to this industry (which maybe I shouldn’t admit) is that I love proving people wrong. With manufacturing and engineering being male-dominated, I feel like I have a duty to my children to show them and others that women can be great assets to manufacturing and engineering. Hopefully, with all the hard work that lots of people are putting in, women of the future won’t have to feel like they need to prove themselves in these environments. Did you undertake any specific education or training for your career? If so, what did you study, and were there any subjects or courses that significantly influenced your career direction or success? Upon leaving school in 2008 I had absolutely no clue what to do, so I thought I’ll just go to 6-form until I figured it out.
(Photo courtesy of the Department for Education)
I saw that there was a talk on engineering and dragged my friend along with me. I was sold, but unfortunately, there were no other subjects available to me that fit with engineering, so I picked a couple of other random things just so that I could attend. For various reasons I quit after a year, but had regrets and proceeded to Google engineering jobs for years until in 2021, I jumped head-first into a level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. I was working as a teaching assistant at a special educational needs school and a lovely lady who worked alongside me told me she was leaving to become a police call handler - something she had wanted to do for years and years. Her bravery to start a fresh career later in her life gave me the courage to do the same! The training I’ve received from the MTC Training at Oxfordshire Advanced Skills has given me a solid foundation to start my career. I’ve learnt so much during my apprenticeship, and it is not even always the most
exciting or typically interesting things that make the biggest difference. Sometimes it’s the subjects that can be overlooked, like Drawing, Measurement and Hand fitting that can have the most positive impact on knowledge and competence. I see it like building a pyramid. The bigger your base knowledge, the more solid your foundations and the higher you can go. Were there any role models or individuals in your field who inspired you? If so, how did they impact your career choices? There are so many - Too many to name! And I fully appreciate how lucky I am to be able to say that. I have to start with my fellow Williams apprentices Rhys Dawes and Luke Phillips when days are tough, and the workload seems daunting they’re always there to help me see things differently. Then there’s John Hornsby (or owner John as he’s known at work). He has taught me so much and encouraged me to be curious and test myself and my skills in a safe, supportive working environment.
I'm also fortunate enough to have met so many inspiring people at the events that I’ve had the pleasure of attending like Andrea Wilson, Thomas Flude, and Mohammad Taher - ‘The Airport Guy’. Can you share some details about your first job in the industry? My first job in manufacturing and engineering is my current job, I didn’t search for a job building boats specifically, especially as I live in Oxfordshire, but The MTC Training pointed me in
(Photo courtesy of the Department for Education)
the direction of Williams Jet Tenders, and they gave me the confidence that they had my best interests at heart from the beginning. That was so important to me as I have people counting on me. I have a family at home and a mortgage to pay. Williams took my background in teaching and special educational needs and continues to give me the opportunity to attend events and give back by sharing my experience and knowledge with those who might be interested in a career in engineering. What has been the most challenging aspect of your career so far? Dealing with my confidence or lack of it, is an ongoing challenge. The British in me already wants to be self-deprecating and the imposter syndrome adds an extra element to that, it often causes me to freeze and get stuck in my head. I push past it as much as I can because I hate to let people down, but it seems that no matter how much I achieve that little voice in my head is still there, ready to criticise me. Which achievement or project are you most proud of, and what impact has it had on your company or the industry? I spoke at the House of Commons for the Enginuity Alliance Launch in November which was incredibly surreal and something I will never forget. I was beyond nervous, but I'm passionate about this sector! I want it to not just survive but thrive, and I’ll do anything I can to be a part of improving it and helping to close the skills gap. Opportunity breeds opportunity and I'm so thankful for all the brilliant opportunities I’ve been afforded. Now I'm able to shine a light on women in engineering, ‘squiggly’ careers and how great it is to work for an SME. What aspects of your job do you find the most enjoyable and fulfilling? The outreach is something I didn’t know was an option at first but I'm so glad it is. I do miss my previous role and the fact that I can still be involved in education, even in a small way, is the best! I like to help make a difference and hopefully inspire others to take a leap of faith. I also love that at Williams I'm constantly learning. It’s one of the big things that keep me going, I think everyone gets those days where you wake up and you can’t face the day, but I just try and think about all the new things I’ll learn if I push through it. Plus, I get FOMO! Even with work.
(Photo courtesy of Enginuity Skills Awards)
(Photo courtesy of Enginuity Skills Awards)
What advice would you offer young people considering a career in your industry? Tenacity gets people’s attention. Make some calls, send some emails. Whether that be to companies or learning provers. You can ask for work experience and sign yourself up for some career fairs (Thankfully there are more about now than when I was younger) There are lots of different paths you can take so do some research and think about which one might suit you best. And don’t be put off if you don’t think have the qualifications. We all have to start somewhere, and the best companies are open to providing you with everything you need if you show them how much you want it.
I see it like building a pyramid. The bigger your base knowledge, the more solid your foundations and the higher you can go.
Where do you see the future of your industry heading, and how can young women and men prepare to be a part of that future? It is such an exciting time to be part of the STEM community, with so many advancements in sustainability and AI and with the huge amount of shared passion to drive the changes needed, the future is looking up! It’s going to be a challenge to get it where it needs to be and as with every new generation, there’s a shift. That’s why it’s so important for us all to advocate for diverse representation and collaborate so that we can learn from each other and grow together, making sure that no one is left behind. If there was one bit of advice I could give, it would be to embrace lifelong learning, there’s always more to gain and you never know where it will take you.
Thank you for reading.
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