Welding particularly is like lego for adults – its great fun making things. Whereas Engineering will teach you why things are made the way they are and a combination of both will give you the skills to make almost anything you can think of! Why not give it a go!
Steven started working at Lancaster & Morecambe College in 2020, he teaches on the full time and Apprenticeship Fabrication & Welding courses and also the part time evening Welding course for adults. He has taught on the Engineering HNC Level 4 course too.
Steven has always had a passion for teaching, and joining the team at LMC was a natural fit for him. Recently, he was appointed one of the Deputy Program Area Managers for the Construction, Energy and Engineering department, a role that he took on in 2024.
I have taught in the past and really enjoy working with young people, so it made sense to join LMC and pass on my knowledge and skills to the students about my trade. I have young daughters of my own and find it equally rewarding teaching them new skills, such as cartwheels and skateboarding.
At LMC, we offer vocational education which is designed to give students a more focused introduction to the engineering skills and knowledge required to prepare them for a carer in the industry. This can allows students who may not have excelled academically in school to be able to find a practical subject that they can excel at and find rewarding, as Steve explains,
I have seen lots of young people experience success for the first time during their apprenticeship at College. Previously at school, they potentially may have struggled with academic subjects, but seeing them pick up a vocational subject and find that they’re genuinely good at it, and seeing the happiness and pride that brings to them is pretty cool! It feels like giving them a fresh start to build up their confidence and believe in themselves.
When asked what he would say to someone who was thinking about studying Welding or Engineering, Steve said:
Welding particularly is like lego for adults – its great fun making things. Whereas Engineering will teach you why things are made the way they are and a combination of both will give you the skills to make almost anything you can think of! Why not give it a go!
Whether you're confident that you want to be a plumber/gas engineer, think you want to try your hand at it, or have no idea what you want to do - plumbing or gas work is an excellent asset for anyone to have. They're both great career options, loved by foreign countries if you're looking to travel, or at the very least will save you some money on a plumber in the future no matter what you end up doing!
Welding particularly is like lego for adults – its great fun making things. Whereas Engineering will teach you why things are made the way they are and a combination of both will give you the skills to make almost anything you can think of! Why not give it a go!
My favourite part of my role is being able to recall my industry knowledge and then passing it onto my students. The knowledge I have from working in the industry gives the students a better understanding of real life situations and how to transfer their skills into future careers.
Try to achieve the best grades you can. As a qualified Carpenter or Joiner, you will have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.
Come and join us here as LMC! You’ll gain new skills, use industry standard equipment, be taught by a dedicated team of specialists who are passionate about educating you to a higher skills level, so that you can gain an Apprenticeship or full time employment.
Be prepared to work hard and be challenged. The more you put in, the more you will get out of the course. It's a rewarding experience as you can clearly see your skills develop. There is also a great demand for skilled plasterers and the potential for good earnings, so why not give it a go?