Different minds; infinite possibilities

NCMT automation guru Phil Cattaneo has always been technically minded. As a child he was constantly trying to fix things or take things apart to see how they work.

“I’ve got a scar on my finger from disassembling a printer as a kid” he says. “I fixed it but received a nasty cut for my troubles. When I look at my scar today, I realise it was all part of my journey.”

By his own admission, Phil’s GCSE results were below expectations, which meant no pathway into university. However, there were mitigating circumstances.

“I’m both autistic and dyslexic. I really struggled at school: understanding and reading exam questions correctly was particularly challenging.”

But Phil never gave up on engineering, eventually gaining admission to an Extended BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering at The Sheffield College.

“I subsequently self-funded myself on to an HNC in Manufacturing Engineering. During that time I was applying for apprenticeships and machine tool manufacturer DMG Mori showed interest. That was my big break.”

Phil completed a three-year apprenticeship with DMG Mori, ultimately leading to an HND. He remained at DMG Mori for a further three years before taking up a more senior opportunity at automation specialist Fastems and, two years later, at UK machine tool supplier NCMT. Joining in October 2023, Phil is now NCMT’s Automation Business Development Manager.

“Companies like NCMT, Fastems and DMG Mori obviously saw the potential in me, despite my neurodivergence.”

Passionate about raising awareness of non-neurotypical needs, Phil volunteers his free time in support of individuals suffering from conditions such as ADHD and autism. He suggests that the logical, analytical way in which many neurodivergent individuals process information makes them potentially “incredible assets” for engineering companies.

Last month, Phil deservedly received a ‘Top 30 Under 30 in South Yorkshire’ award, for which he was nominated anonymously. The accolade identifies the county’s brightest young business talent, in this case serving as a clear indication that embracing neurodiversity and employing people with a different spectrum of thought can unlock a world of different perspectives and possibilities.