Since leaving Energy Coast UTC in 2022, Ruby Watson has progressed into a career in engineering and is currently a Level 3 Apprentice Pipe Welder with Shepley Engineering, while training through Lakes College.

Ruby attended Energy Coast UTC between 2020 and 2022, studying Sport and Construction. Looking for a change from mainstream education, she found the UTC’s smaller, more supportive environment to be a positive experience. She particularly enjoyed the specialist subjects on offer and felt the school provided more individual support than a larger secondary school.

Following her studies, Ruby secured an apprenticeship and began developing the technical skills required for a career in welding. She believes her time at the UTC helped prepare her for this journey by increasing her understanding of engineering and providing valuable hands-on learning opportunities.

The practical experience she gained remains one of the most important benefits of her time at the UTC. Ruby highlights the hands-on skills she developed as being particularly valuable in her current role, helping her feel more confident working within an engineering environment.

Although much of her time at the UTC coincided with the challenges of the COVID period, she still recognises that the school helped her focus on engineering as a career direction. This ultimately led her towards her current apprenticeship and a successful start within the industry.

One of Ruby’s proudest achievements since leaving school has been securing employment within the engineering sector and building a career doing something she enjoys.

Ruby’s Reflection
“I had more workshop experience.”

Looking back, Ruby believes Energy Coast UTC helped her focus on the engineering pathway and gave her greater exposure to practical learning, helping her take the first steps towards her career as a pipe welder.