Robyn Clarke, from Chester, chose an apprenticeship in Maintenance Engineering with car manufacturer Toyota after leaving college in 2011. While employed in a multi-skilled apprentice role on the production line, she was approached by the company about entering into skills competitions.
“Toyota suggested we take part in competitions as a lot of the training is relevant to our work,” explains Robyn. “I hadn’t heard of WorldSkills UK, but when I looked it up, it seemed like something different and exciting that would give me great experience to put on my CV. I loved the idea of representing my country.”
In 2013, Robyn entered an in-house national competition held at Toyota’s manufacturing site in Burnaston, Derbyshire, which was judged by WorldSkills UK experts. She was then put forward for the WorldSkills UK National Finals at The Skills Show 2013. Her skill, Mechatronics, brings together the disciplines of mechanics, electronics and computer technology to design and build automated equipment.
“In the national competition our tasks included building circuits for a pneumatic station,” says Robyn. “My team came second, and we were then asked to compete in the selection competitions for Squad UK for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015.”
After successfully securing a place in Squad UK, Robyn and her team mate Andy Smith, who also works for Toyota Manufacturing UK, were selected for Team UK for WorldSkills Sao Paulo 2015. After competing over four days against the world’s best engineers, Robyn and Andy were awarded a Medallion For Excellence.
The UK Mechatronics Training Manager, David Russell, a lecturer at Northern Regional College, Northern Ireland is keen to stress the wider impacts of taking part in WorldSkills UK, saying “Robyn has acquired multidisciplinary skills through her Toyota apprenticeship programme and these have been an excellent foundation for her development in the Mechatronics specialism. She has addressed all of the demanding training tasks and challenges with enthusiasm her high standards of motivation and commitment should stand her in good stead for future challenges.”
Taking part in WorldSkills UK has also made an impact on her day-to-day work with Technical Skills Development Specialist at Toyota, Peter Spence, commenting, “Robin has received extra development through her WorldSkills UK journey which gives her a wider knowledge and skill base and has also broadened her outlook to the world of engineering, which can only help her in her future career at Toyota.”
Robyn is applying the WorldSkills UK training to her life and work. “While I’ve learned a lot of technical skills and improved in that respect. I’ve also become a better apprentice – being dedicated and committed to something helps me at work.”
