Former Engineering Student Guy Davies Showcases the Power of College Pathways
A past Coleg Llandrillo learner has built an impressive professional journey since his studies, applying the skills and knowledge gained through his time at Coleg Llandrillo to progress within the engineering industry.
Guy Davies, a former Mechanical Engineering student, is a strong example of how college education can open doors to a diverse and exciting engineering career.
Guy studied Level 3 Mechanical Engineering at college before progressing to an HNC, describing the college environment as a turning point in how he learned and developed professionally.
More recently, he returned to college to deliver an engineering challenge to Year 9 pupils from Rhyl High School, inspiring the next generation through hands-on problem solving and real-world industry insight.
“At college, you’re not treated like a child,” Guy explains. “Your progress is your responsibility because you want to succeed. That mindset really suited the way I learn.”
He highlights the value of interactive tutors who brought real industry knowledge and experience into the classroom, making learning more practical and relevant than his experience at school. The relaxed but focused environment allowed him to learn at his own pace while developing confidence, independence, and problem-solving skills.
Alongside his studies, Guy gained a wide range of transferable skills through college and various jobs, which helped him build an impressive and varied career. He began working at Qipotic, carrying out mechanical servicing on optical equipment, before moving into medical research and development, where he learned the full production process, including testing, analysis, documentation, and technical reporting.
His career then took him into the aerospace sector, working with abrasive technologies, followed by a role at a petrochemical analysis company in Conwy, analysing oil samples to diagnose mechanical issues.
Guy later joined Atlas as a Research and Development Technician, where he worked on developing and assessing new automotive designs for world-leading manufacturers including Porsche, Ferrari, Bentley, Mercedes, Tesla, and McLaren.
“It was incredibly interesting work,” he says. “You’re right at the cutting edge, solving real problems with real impact.”
Guy now works in quality management, liaising with internal engineers and external companies while managing internal quality processes—another step that builds on the practical foundation he developed at college.
Reflecting on his journey, Guy believes college plays a crucial role in preparing students for the workplace.
“College develops the mindset you need. From my experience, people who come through college are often the most practical and switched on because you’re given autonomy. You learn how to take responsibility, and that sets you up for work.
Guy is also passionate about changing perceptions of engineering, particularly around gender.
“We need more women in engineering,” he says. “When I was at college, there was one woman in a group of 30. Women are often better at engineering—better timekeeping, organisation, and attention to detail. Engineering uses the same creative skill set as art, but people don’t realise that.”
Guy’s journey demonstrates how college education, combined with ambition and hands-on learning, can lead to a rewarding and wide-ranging engineering career—and why the industry needs to be more inclusive for the future.
To learn more about our Engineering courses visit gllm.ac.uk/engineering