A former Ron Dearing UTC student says he is looking forward to a job for life after securing an apprenticeship with the UK’s leading shower manufacturer.
Spencer Kirby, 18, is an apprentice Electrical Maintenance Engineer at Mira Showers and works from their shower tray manufacturing site in Melton, East Yorkshire. Spencer is the first apprentice the company has taken on from the employer-led school.
Mira Showers, a Major Partner of Ron Dearing UTC, has been at the forefront of the shower market for more than a century, thanks to pioneering developments in technology.
Spencer, who studied A-level Physics and the Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering at Ron Dearing UTC, studies at North Lindsey College in Scunthorpe one day per week as part of his apprenticeship, with the rest of the week spent working at Mira.
He said: “If I wasn’t a Ron Dearing UTC student I don’t think I would have had this opportunity. We had multiple mock interviews and CV training which helped to grow my confidence.
“I’m constantly learning and every day is different. University didn’t really appeal to me and I see this as a job for life.
“I arrive at 8.30am, go into the workshop and get my safety gear on before a walkaround for the daily checks. We follow a computerised maintenance schedule and I deal with breakdowns and smaller projects. I’m really enjoying it.”
Spencer’s apprenticeship was due to be completed over three years but industry-critical skills he gained at Ron Dearing UTC mean it can be completed in two years.
Iain Gillyon, Engineering Manager at Mira Showers, which is part of the global Kohler group, said: “Spencer has fitted in really well and we will potentially take on further apprentices from Ron Dearing UTC in the future.
“Most of our executive team came through the apprenticeship route. Employers have shifted their thinking and you can always study for a degree later on.
“The maturity level of an 18-year-old leaving Ron Dearing UTC is ahead of most 21-year-olds leaving university and that’s down to the UTC teaching style and learning environment.
“The UTC team understand our business and the type of skills we’re looking for, so it works well.”