At DPF Engineering we know that having the right people, doing the right thing is what has made us so successful, Our Managing Director, Seamus Lancaster, recently sat down with one of our newest team members, Ericks Zarins, Technical Coordinator, to learn about his journey so far and his ambitions for the future. We are also delighted to profile one of our longest serving employees, Alan Begley. Alan took time out from his busy role as Production Shift Supervisor to tell us about his career to date.
Ericks Zarins
Question: So Ericks, how are you settling into the business?
Ericks: As I’m fresh out of college it’s nice to land in a workplace with good co-workers and a well organised system. It was quite easy to adapt to work here due to the help everyone around me has given. The work given to me is also within my capabilities and I haven’t been thrown into the deep end by anyone straight from the get-go.
Question: Where did your interest in Engineering come from?
Ericks: I decided to pursue engineering as a career due to a curiosity I’ve had ever since I’ve been a child in how things work and what they do. I was always most fascinated with aircraft as a child too and loved seeing them in air shows or up close in the airports so that’s what drove me to study that field in college.
Question: Speaking of college, tell me a little about your studies to date
Ericks: I have a PLC diploma in Engineering Technology, a Level 6 & 7 degree in Aircraft systems, and soon I’ll have a level 8 degree for Aerospace engineering from the Institute of Technology, Carlow.
Question: Tell me a little about what you’re doing at the moment and your ambitions for the future?
Ericks: As a recent graduate with little experience in the industry, I’m starting by producing some quotes, planning jobs and eventually I’ll progress to design.
Alan Begley
Question: So Alan, how long have you been with the business?
Alan: I joined DPF in January 2012, from the construction industry. When I started I had little experience in this sector so was helping out wherever I was needed. As time passed with training and and guidance from the company I developed a wide range of new skills. l undertook courses on a variety of different topics including Excel/Explore 2018, Lean Sigma Green Belt, First Aid Response and CK Skillnet Supervisory Management, to name a few and these were all done through DPF. I’ve been Production Shift Supervisor for 3 months now and before that I was cell leader for 18 month.
Question: What do you enjoy most about your role?
Alan: What I enjoy most about my job is the challenge and constant learning, every day is different. I enjoy working with the different departments to reach a common goal. The company has a good positive culture and a strong workforce to support it, which helps a lot. I enjoyed the different courses I have done and the skills I have developed in DPF over the years which helped me get to where I am today.
Question: What advice would you give to anybody considering a career in engineering?
Alan: For anyone thinking of a career in this line of work my advice would be to research as much information you can, try and talk to people in the sector. It covers a wide range of skills being a Toolmaker /Engineer with so many different aspects to it. You will definitely have plenty of options and opportunities. I’d highly recommend it.
