For Lakia Granger, a career in defence had been an ambition long before she knew exactly what shape that career might take.
From joining the Army Cadets at just 12 to applying to join the Army at 16, the military always held a strong appeal. When medical circumstances meant that particular route was no longer open to her, however, Lakia had to find another way to combine that sense of purpose with her growing passion for engineering.
Today, at 23, she is doing exactly that.
Lakia is undertaking a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Advanced Manufacturing and Support Technologies at City College Plymouth, combining her studies with an increasingly varied working life across defence at HMNB Devonport.
Her route into engineering began in the automotive industry. Before starting her Apprenticeship, Lakia worked as a mechanic for a high-performance VW and Audi specialist, where diagnosing faults and working on high-performance vehicles helped turn a practical interest into a passion for engineering.
When the opportunity to become an apprentice arose, it offered a way to bring two important parts of her life together.
“I saw it as an excellent way to combine my interests and still contribute to defence,” Lakia explains.
An Apprenticeship also suited her circumstances. At 21, living away from home and determined to remain financially independent, Lakia wanted to continue learning without stepping away from employment.
“An Apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to earn a salary, gain industry experience, and work towards recognised qualifications all at the same time.”
Since joining the programme in 2024, that industry experience has taken Lakia into very different corners of defence. Apprentices complete four six-month placements, allowing them to experience different roles and disciplines across Devonport.
Her first placement was with IT Infrastructure and Architecture, supporting activities ranging from Engineering Change Request documentation to managing the cessation of obsolete phone lines. Next came Waterfront Infrastructure, where her work shifted towards project management, developing business cases, supporting project delivery, and coordinating with contractors and stakeholders.
Now, in her placement with T23 Class Output Management, Lakia is discovering where her future might lie. Working around the structural maintenance of Type 23 frigates, she attends progress meetings, conducts surveys with industry partners, reviews technical drawings, and researches potential repair methods and suppliers.
“I have found that I really enjoy the more technical side of engineering,” she says. “Being able to get onboard ships regularly, climb through hatches, up and down ladders, conduct surveys and understand the information behind how these platforms operate – and are maintained and repaired – is something that I find hugely rewarding and inspiring.”
College is helping to put the theory behind that practical experience. Lakia says her studies are developing her engineering knowledge and helping her understand how engineering principles are applied within defence, giving her a broader view of an industry she already understood from a practical perspective.
Her progression has not simply been technical. Moving between placements, taking on greater responsibility and learning to produce professional engineering documentation have all helped build her confidence.
“Since starting the Apprenticeship in 2024, I’ve become a lot more confident in the work I produce and how I conduct myself within the workplace,” she says.
That development has extended beyond her everyday role. Lakia has represented apprentice cohorts at the People Focus Forum, participated in community projects, and was selected to attend a lunch with senior defence leaders – experiences she says have expanded her network and given her insights from experienced people across the sector.
Looking ahead, one thing is clear: Lakia wants her future to remain in defence. Her Apprenticeship has given her the chance to explore different possibilities, while her current placement has revealed a particular enthusiasm for hands-on, technical engineering.
“In the future, I’d like to progress into a role where I can continue developing my technical knowledge whilst taking on more responsibilities.”
It is a journey that has already taken Lakia from high-performance cars to the decks of naval ships – and her advice to others is to embrace the possibilities that come with it.
“Take every opportunity that’s available to you, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the answers when you start. Ask questions, take on feedback, and be willing to learn.”
