An Omagh engineer has graduated with First Class Honours and secured a permanent engineering role with global manufacturer Terex after completing a degree apprenticeship, and is now encouraging other young people to consider the route into industry.
Cormac McCann, a former pupil of Christian Brothers Grammar School, has successfully completed a degree apprenticeship in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering with Ulster University Magee and is now preparing to begin his career as a Graduate Design Engineer with Terex.
Cormac’s interest in engineering began during his school years, where an interest in maths and physics led to a curiosity about designing products and solving real-world challenges.
“I was always interested in maths and physics and liked the idea of using that knowledge to solve problems and create products,” he said. “My careers teacher told me about the apprenticeship opportunity. At first, I wasn’t interested because I thought I’d take the traditional university route, but once I looked into it more, it was a no-brainer.”
The degree apprenticeship enabled Cormac to combine academic study with practical workplace experience, giving him the opportunity to earn a salary while completing his degree.
“I loved the fact that it offered real-world experience, which is arguably one of the most valuable things employers look for, while also allowing you to achieve a degree without student debt,” he said. “To me, it was the best of both worlds.”
During his first year, Cormac spent four days each week at Ulster University Magee and one day at Terex, rotating through different departments to gain a broad understanding of how the business operates. As the apprenticeship progressed, he spent the majority of his time working alongside experienced engineers while continuing his studies one day a week.
“The first year was probably my favourite because you got the full university experience while still gaining valuable work experience,” he explained. “From second year onwards, I was more or less part of the team like any other employee, and that’s where I learned the most.”
His final-year university project was based on a live engineering challenge within the business and played a key role in helping him achieve First Class Honours
Reflecting on his apprenticeship journey, Cormac believes the experience helped him develop important professional skills as well as technical knowledge.
“Being in the workplace at such a young age helped me grow in areas like communication, time management, presenting to others and working under pressure,” he said. “The practical experience you gain is something that is difficult to replicate through university alone.”
Cormac also credits the support of colleagues throughout his apprenticeship, particularly his manager, Norma McDermott, a Lead Quality Engineer with Terex.
“Norma has been my manager throughout the entire apprenticeship and has always encouraged me to learn and develop. She gave me opportunities to be part of the team and was always willing to help, even when she was busy.”
Having previously completed a placement in the design team during his final year, Cormac is now looking forward to building his career as a Graduate Design Engineer.
“I really enjoyed my time working in design and was eager to learn more. I’m excited to continue developing my skills and contributing to future projects.”
Looking back on his experience, Cormac would encourage other young people across Omagh and the wider Tyrone area to consider a degree apprenticeship.
“The apprenticeship is the best way to go. The experience you gain working in an engineering environment at such a young age is unparalleled. It can be tough at times, especially during the final year, but it’s absolutely worth it. You still make great memories along the way, even if it’s not the traditional route.”
He added: “It means a lot to have completed the programme locally and achieved my degree. It’s also nice to celebrate the achievement with family and friends. Hopefully apprenticeships like this continue to grow and create more opportunities for young people in the area who want to gain valuable experience while earning a qualification.”
Norma McDermott, Lead Quality Engineer – Operations at Terex Omagh, said:
“Cormac’s achievement is a fantastic example of what can be accomplished through a degree apprenticeship. Throughout the programme, he demonstrated a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and a genuine passion for engineering. Programmes like this provide young people with an opportunity to gain valuable industry experience while earning a degree, and Cormac has made the most of that opportunity. We are delighted that he is continuing his career with Terex and look forward to seeing him develop further in his new role.”
Terex, a global manufacturing company which employs people across multiple locations in Northern Ireland including Lurgan, Dungannon, Cookstown, Omagh, Ballymoney and Campsie, continues to invest in apprenticeship and early-careers programmes that provide the opportunity to gain industry experience while studying towards recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit www.terex.com