Lindsay Briggs

What do you do?

I am an Apprentice Electrical Maintenance Engineer for Associated British Ports (ABP). I love trying to figure out why things won’t work and coming up with how to fix them. I also love servicing the 70s dock cranes too, they’re all electromechanical and great to work on.

What does a typical day at work look like?

I cannot give you an average day because every day is different. We do some servicing of cranes regularly to keep them working properly but we can be called upon to fix almost anything on the port. I might climb 120ft in a harness to fix a lighting tower, drive a cherry picker or scissor lift, troubleshoot why any of the many pieces of plant or machinery aren’t working and try to fix them. On a slow day I might put some new lamps in a building or up a street lamp. We are out on high access equipment in the elements all year round so if you’re not outdoorsy or aren’t keen on heights this isn’t a job for you.

How did you get to where you are?

I worked at a vocational college as a teaching assistant in their engineering department which inspired me to do some qualifications in that area myself. I then got a job with ABP.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I am married and have 18-month-old twin boys at home who take up most of my free time.