A Passion for STEM drives success in Professional Learning Journey

Shaun Malone, a 26-year-old from Kent, has successfully completed his Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Ordnance, Munitions, and Explosives at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), marking a significant milestone in his academic and professional journey.

During his graduation ceremony in Swansea last month, Shaun was awarded Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Apprentice of the Year (HNC) by the University.

Shaun began his studies in 2021 as part of an apprenticeship with QinetiQ, a global defence and security company, which runs the programme in partnership with UWTSD. His path to this achievement has been anything but conventional. Shaun had initially enrolled in a full-time Physics degree, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances forced him to withdraw before completing it. Determined to pursue his passion for STEM, Shaun sought out alternative opportunities, which led him to the apprenticeship programme at QinetiQ.

“I saw this course being promoted on the Government apprenticeships website and my interest was piqued immediately,” Shaun recalls. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve been fascinated by science and engineering. At such an uncertain time in my life, this opportunity felt like something I simply couldn’t pass up—and it’s a decision I most definitely do not regret.”

For Shaun, completing the HNC at UWTSD was more than just a step in his career; it was a personal mission. After leaving university, he made a promise to himself to attain the STEM degree he had always dreamed of. “I believed passionately that I owed it to myself to do so,” Shaun says. His dedication and hard work paid off, as he not only completed the Level 4 course but also scored highly enough to secure a place on the full Level 6 BEng course.

Throughout his studies, Shaun found the well-rounded curriculum to be invaluable in broadening his knowledge of STEM fields. “In school, I excelled at Maths and Classical Mechanics but struggled with subjects like Chemistry. This course allowed me to shore up that knowledge and even tackle new fields. Achieving a Distinction in Chemistry was definitely my proudest accomplishment.”

The apprenticeship has also offered Shaun remarkable professional experiences, including a placement at QinetiQ’s MoD Hebrides site in Scotland to assist with Formidable Shield, one of NATO’s largest at-sea defence exercises. “As a child, you can never imagine being part of such an important event. It was quite possibly the privilege of my short career so far,” he reflects.

Reflecting on his time at UWTSD, Shaun said: “I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone within the industry or anyone just getting started. It has rounded off my knowledge and skills, and I have surprised myself with how often I’ve applied my lecture notes to solve real work problems.”

Shaun’s passion for STEM is rooted in a childhood dream of being involved in a space mission—a dream that continues to drive him today. “I promise my 11-year-old self every day that I’ll do it for him—so we’ll see where I end up!”

Pic caption: Shaun Malone being congratulated by Martyn Sime, president of the Institute of Explosives Engineers. 

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071