Ellis Stevenson, a 22-year-old recently qualified apprentice from SECTT and UHI Moray, is a shining example of resilience, determination, and technical excellence within the electrical industry.
Ellis first entered the WorldSkills UK competition in 2024, progressing to the Scottish heats but narrowly missing out on a place in the national finals. Although disappointed, she didn’t let this setback define her journey. Encouraged by her lecturer, Iain McBean at UHI Moray College, Ellis returned to the competition the following year with renewed focus and determination.
Speaking about the encouragement she received from Iain, Ellis said, “I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all his help and support throughout the training and preparation for the competition.”
Her commitment paid off. In June, Ellis won her heat, securing her place at the WorldSkills UK National Finals, where she competed in Electrical Installation. Across an intensive three-day final, Ellis demonstrated outstanding technical ability, strong time management and calm decision-making under pressure — ultimately claiming Gold.
Reflecting on her improvement since 2024, Ellis credits her ability to manage time effectively and make confident decisions when things didn’t go exactly to plan. “The timing is really tight and there’s no room for mistakes. If something goes wrong, you have to quickly decide whether to fix it or move on,” she explains.
At the time of the competition, Ellis had recently completed her training and transitioned fully into industry. She is now employed by Campbell & McHardy Ltd in Moray, Scotland, where she is gaining valuable experience and working independently on site.
“The competition has given me so much more confidence,” Ellis says. “Being trusted to get on with jobs myself has been great, and WorldSkills UK really helped prepare me for that responsibility.”
The skills developed through WorldSkills UK and the support of NET and the Competition Organising Partners (COPs) for Electrical Installation, particularly time management, decision-making, and working under pressure, have had a direct and positive impact on Ellis’s career progression.
Winning Gold at the National Finals came as a surprise.
“I honestly wasn’t expecting it. A couple of things went wrong, and I was working right up to the time, but I was able to remain calm under pressure. When my name was called, it took a moment to realise it was me,” she recalls. “I was shocked, but incredibly proud and grateful.”
As a woman working in a traditionally male-dominated sector, Ellis is accustomed to being one of the few females on site.
“It was really positive to see another female in the final, I think it was the first year there’s been two.”
Her message to young women considering a career in electrical installation is clear and encouraging:
“Just go for it. You will have hard days, and some people are still stuck in old ways of thinking, but don’t let that stop you. It’s hard work, but it’s definitely worth it.”
Following her success, Ellis has signed up to become a WorldSkills UK Skills Champion, inspired by seeing first-hand the opportunities the programme creates. Through this role, she hopes to inspire future competitors and support young people exploring technical careers.
Encouraging others to take part in WorldSkills UK competitions, Ellis adds:
“It’s an amazing experience. I had the opportunity to travel to London for a training day and the Celebration of Skills event in October 2025, as well as travelling to Wales for the finals, meeting other competitors, and learning from industry leaders. These are opportunities I never would have had access to without the WorldSkills UK competition. I’d say go for it, work hard, and it will pay off.”
Ellis’s journey demonstrates how WorldSkills UK competitions not only celebrate technical excellence, but also build confidence, resilience and career-ready skills that extend far beyond the competition floor.
