During June 2025 STEM Week at Bolton Impact Trust -Youth Challenge , students had the chance to meet employers from industries they may never have considered before. From budgeting and wealth planning to neon design and engineering, the week was designed to show that careers start with inspiration, exposure, and opportunity.

One of those employers was MBDA and Sophia Crilly, a Manufacturing Test Engineering Degree Apprentice led an interactive challenge that blended teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

Q&A with Sophia Crilly
Can you tell us a bit about your role and the industry you work in?
I am a Manufacturing Test Engineering Degree Apprentice working for MBDA. Alongside my job, I am completing a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at The University of Greater Manchester. MBDA is a defence company that works alongside BAE, Airbus and Leonardo to provide for the UK military and their allies in Europe and beyond.

My role is problem-solving based. If something doesn’t go quite right in production, test engineers fault-find and ensure this issue is fixed by the appropriate team so that the unit can move on to the next stage in production. It is very hands on, which is perfect for me as I am a visual learner.

What path did you take to be in that role?
I went to High School and chose options like History, Drama and Triple Science. Apprenticeships weren’t advertised at all in my school, so I felt my only option was College. I chose Maths, Physics and History — but honestly, I didn’t enjoy it. It was theory-based and I struggled.
I started applying for degree apprenticeships because University alone wasn’t for me. I needed to apply theory in a workplace. Although I didn’t enjoy college, it got me to where I am now and taught me perseverance. If I’d been given the chance to apply for an apprenticeship at 16, it would have been ideal.

What activity did you lead with the young people as part of STEM Week?
I led the Paper Tower Challenge. Students were given A3 and A4 paper and Sellotape, and tasked to build a tower strong enough to hold a full water bottle for 30 seconds. They had to plan, build, test, and adapt — just like real engineers.

Do you have a favourite moment from the day?
Yes! The first KS3 group were so engaged and produced amazing structures. They were creative and proud of what they achieved. Even better, when other groups came in, they took inspiration from that first group’s designs — it was great to see learning in action.

What made you decide to volunteer for STEM Week?
As part of my apprenticeship, we’re encouraged to volunteer for outreach events. I do this monthly and I’m glad I was put on this one. These activities are as beneficial for me as they are for the students — they help me understand how others think and work together, which is a skill I use every day at work.

What impact do you hope your involvement had on the young people?
I hope it encouraged them to consider apprenticeships or at least look into work experience. At 16, I didn’t think apprenticeships were an option, but there are endless opportunities. Students need to know these doors are open to them.

Has volunteering had any unexpected benefits for you?
Definitely. My confidence in public speaking has improved massively, and each event gives me more knowledge to do a better job next time. It also widens my social bubble — interacting with different age groups and abilities teaches you how to adapt and connect. And there’s a real sense of achievement that keeps me motivated in my apprenticeship.

Why do you think it’s important for employers to get involved in schools?
There are so many opportunities out there that young people just aren’t aware of. By engaging with students, you could be inspiring future leaders in industries they’ve never considered. Putting a face to a company name makes it real — seeing someone thriving in a role makes it more than just a job advert.

What would you say to other businesses considering getting involved in initiatives like this?
Absolutely do it. You’re not only encouraging young people to apply for opportunities, but also showcasing your company. There’s no downside — you could be the reason someone realises a whole new pathway is possible.

A Huge Thank You
A big thank you to Sophia Crilly and MBDA for delivering such an engaging, practical session that showed students how teamwork, problem-solving, and creativity are at the heart of engineering.

What’s Next? Opportunities for Employers to Get Involved
We’re now planning the next school year of activities, and we’d love to welcome more employers on board. Whether you’ve volunteered before or this would be your first time, your industry story could be the spark that shapes a young person’s career.

Upcoming opportunities in 2025/26 include:

• Explore Your Future – Careers Carousel

Wednesday 19 November 2025, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 12 employers/businesses to showcase their industry and run mock interviews

• Prep For Success – Mock Interviews

Wednesday 21 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for a volunteer to run a preparation session around what to expect and how to prepare for

interviews

Wednesday 28 January 2026, 9am – 1pm
We are looking for 10 volunteers to run 15-minute mock interviews

• STEM in Action Week

The week of 22 – 26 June 2026
We are looking for 5 employers from STEM industries to showcase their sector, plus 5 employers/businesses to run mock interviews

If you’d like to get involved, please contact Pam Molyneux, Volunteer Special Enterprise Advisor - [email protected] We’d love to hear from you.

Building Futures Together
It doesn’t matter if you’re the size of MBDA or a one-man band — every individual has a story to tell about the path they’ve taken and where they are today. If you love what you do and want to help inspire a young person, this is the perfect opportunity to get involved.