Hannah is a shining example of how Northern Regional College provides the skills, experience and confidence needed to succeed in STEM careers. She enrolled on the Foundation Degree in Engineering in September 2022, returning to education after almost a decade in work. Determined to progress in her career, she excelled academically, maintaining 100% attendance and actively engaging in all aspects of the course. Her dedication made her a role model for her classmates, who she regularly encouraged and supported.
During her time at the College, Hannah also embraced opportunities beyond the classroom. She undertook specialist training in Industrial Robotics, going on to represent Northern Regional College at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, where she and teammate Peter O’Neill won gold in Industrial Robotics. She has since volunteered to train the next generation of competitors, determined to give back to the College community that helped her thrive.
Now working as a Manufacturing Engineer at Wrightbus and studying part-time towards a Degree Apprenticeship in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (BEng Hons) at Ulster University, Hannah continues to build on the strong foundation she developed at Northern Regional College.
Reflecting on her journey, Hannah said, “I feel incredibly proud to receive the Dayle Smyth Endeavour Award. Returning to education after nine years was daunting, but Northern Regional College gave me the platform and support I needed to succeed. The lecturers believed in me and pushed me to aim higher, and the opportunities through WorldSkills and other projects gave me the confidence and skills to progress. I’ve learned so much from technical skills like robotics and CNC machining to leadership and teamwork and all of it started with the College. I hope my journey shows others, especially women in STEM, that it’s never too late to go back, upskill and achieve your goals.”
Karla Kosch, Engineering Lecturer and Industrial Robotics Co-ordinator at Northern Regional College, added, “We are extremely proud of Hannah. She is a true example of how the College can transform lives by equipping students with the technical knowledge and personal skills needed for real career success. During her time here, she not only excelled herself but inspired those around her. To see her recognised with this award is hugely deserved, and she is a role model for all our students, past and present.”
Hannah’s achievement also keeps the Dayle Smyth Endeavour Award within Wrightbus for the second year in a row, following the success of her colleague Ben Robinson-Bell in 2024.