Alexia Williams, Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce and winner of the Young Manufacturer of the Year at last year’s The Manufacturer MX Awards, has been awarded an MBE for Services to Education and Skills.
Only two per cent of people who receive an MBE are under 30, underlining the scale of Alexia’s achievement. Alexia’s career began in 2018 when she joined Rolls-Royce as an Aerospace Engineering Degree Apprentice, completing her degree while gaining hands-on experience in the aerospace industry.
After graduating, she progressed into a Deployed Lifecycle Engineer role while undertaking a Level 7 apprenticeship in Through-Life System Sustainment at Cranfield University. In 2024, Alexia became a Technical Lead, where she now supports the delivery and long-term sustainability of complex engineering systems.
Receiving a letter from The King informing me that I had been awarded an MBE was something I never expected – I was completely shocked and absolutely delighted. When I think of MBE recipients, I often think of people who are much further into their careers and who have spent decades making a difference in their field, so it was incredibly humbling to receive this recognition at my age.
Alexia Williams MBE, Technical Lead, Rolls-Royce
Alongside her professional career, Alexia became a Chartered Engineer at the age of 25, making her one of only a small number of women to achieve Chartered status at that age. However, the work that led to her MBE has largely taken place outside of her day-to-day role. Over the past several years, she has dedicated significant time to supporting education, skills development and apprenticeships through a range of national leadership positions.
These roles have included chairing the Apprentice Panel for Skills England, serving as Chair of Make UK’s Future Makers Group, acting as a Trustee of Enginuity, a Non-Executive Director of EAL, and contributing to organisations including UCAS, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). Through these positions, Alexia has worked with government, employers, education providers and industry leaders to improve opportunities for young people, strengthen technical education pathways and address skills shortages across the UK.
MBE reaction
Commenting on the award Alexia commented: “Receiving a letter from The King informing me that I had been awarded an MBE was something I never expected – I was completely shocked and absolutely delighted. When I think of MBE recipients, I often think of people who are much further into their careers and who have spent decades making a difference in their field, so it was incredibly humbling to receive this recognition at my age.”
Only a very small proportion of MBE recipients are under the age of 30, which makes the honour even more meaningful. For Alexia, the award is not just recognition of what I have achieved so far; it is validation of the importance of apprenticeships, technical education and improving diversity within STEM. She added: “I hope it will help amplify the causes I care deeply about and give me an even stronger platform to encourage more young people into apprenticeships and more women into engineering and manufacturing careers.”
Giving something back to the next generation
Much of Alexia’s motivation comes from her own experience. When she was at school, apprenticeships were not always understood or promoted in the same way they are today. Many young people, including some of her peers, lacked the information, support or encouragement needed to make fully informed decisions about their future.
“I have seen first-hand how apprenticeships can transform lives, providing individuals with valuable qualifications, practical experience and access to careers they may never have considered possible,” she added. “Being able to help others discover those opportunities and make informed choices is incredibly rewarding.”
Beyond supporting individuals, Alexia is also passionate about the wider impact apprenticeships can have. They play a critical role in addressing skills shortages, strengthening industries such as engineering and manufacturing, and creating more diverse and inclusive workforces. She continued: “I am particularly committed to helping more women see engineering as a viable and exciting career path and demonstrating what can be achieved through the apprenticeship route.”
Stand outs along the journey
“While I have been fortunate to lead a number of large-scale initiatives and outreach programmes, the moments that stay with me most are often the individual success stories,” Alexia continued.
Mentoring young apprentices and women in STEM has been one of the most rewarding aspects of Alexia’s work – supporting people through challenges, helping them build confidence and then seeing them achieve goals they once thought were out of reach.
Alexia has also worked with many A-level students as they navigate apprenticeship applications. “Seeing someone secure their dream apprenticeship after months of preparation and guidance is a fantastic feeling,” she said. “Knowing that I have played even a small part in helping someone pursue their ambitions and unlock opportunities for their future is what makes the work so worthwhile.”
The importance of apprenticeships
Alexia’s advice to other young people looking at an apprenticeship would be to start by identifying what genuinely generates interest and motivation. “Think about the industries, subjects and types of work that excite you, then look for organisations whose purpose and values align with your own.
“If you can find an apprenticeship that allows you to gain the qualification you want while working in an area you are passionate about, I would strongly encourage you to consider it. Apprenticeships offer a unique combination of academic learning and practical experience, enabling you to develop skills, earn a salary and build a professional network from day one.
“The opportunity to gain real-world experience while studying is incredibly valuable, and the pace at which apprentices can develop both professionally and personally is often unmatched. For many people, it can be an outstanding route into a successful and fulfilling career.”
One of the defining factors of Alexia’s success is a willingness to step outside her comfort zone and throughout her career she has consistently said yes to opportunities that challenged her, even when they felt daunting at the time. Confidence, resilience and curiosity have also played a significant role.
“I have always sought to learn from those around me, build strong relationships and absorb as much knowledge as possible from experienced colleagues and mentors. Perhaps most importantly, I have been willing to take on responsibilities beyond my immediate role. Many of the opportunities that have shaped my career came from putting myself forward, embracing uncertainty and being prepared to learn along the way.”
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