Meet our Curriculum Director for Engineering, Kerry Warburton
Kerry studied Industrial Design at Brunel University before deciding to do a postgraduate teaching qualification, a PGCE in Secondary Design Technology. She has worked on projects including sustainable design, product design and materials technology, and she has taught for nearly 20 years.
Before joining UTC Derby Pride Park, Kerry had previous experience of teaching Engineering at a UTC. She brought her strong employer partner links to Derby, which she has continued to develop and grow, along with a wealth of engineering knowledge. She became Curriculum Director for Engineering in 2017 and works with employers as Careers Lead, which Kerry believes is integral to the ethos of the UTC:
“The employer engagement side is a big strength of the UTC. The students develop key employability skills and the confidence to work in industry. The equipment they use is all industry-based, so whether they go to university, onto an apprenticeship or straight into industry, they’ll be prepared.
“We have a variety of different employer projects, working with companies like Toyota, Rolls-Royce, and Bombardier. The students have to budget, research, design and manufacture products to meet specific briefs, and they work with the employers until the end product is complete.
“We want to develop a curriculum that is relevant to the current practices in industry, so our students have the best opportunities to develop skills needed. Derby’s UTC offers a unique opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment, experience real-life industry, and work with our employer partners. We develop young people with the skills and confidence to prepare them for their next journey, whatever that may be.”
Previous UTC Derby Engineering students have gained top apprenticeships at Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, and SNC Lavalin. Many have gone on to further study at University of Leeds, University of Nottingham and University of York, amongst others.