UWTSD Degree Apprenticeship Supports Career Progression at Tata Steel

A Degree Apprenticeship in Materials Science with the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has helped support the career development of Charlie Morgan, a 22-year-old engineering professional working at Tata Steel’s Llanwern site.

Originally from the village of Undy in Monmouthshire, Charlie attended Caldicot Comprehensive School, where he studied Engineering, Chemistry and Psychology at A-level. He was introduced to UWTSD after seeing an advertisement for a degree apprenticeship with Tata Steel, offering the chance to gain a degree-level qualification alongside practical experience in industry.

Keen to build on what he had learned at school, Charlie chose the course to deepen his understanding of engineering and materials, and to see how theory is applied in real workplace settings.

“The course has helped me understand how materials behave in real-life situations and how different stages of the production process can affect quality,” said Charlie, who is now in his final year of study. “This has been really valuable in my role at Tata Steel.”

Charlie’s main aim in undertaking the apprenticeship was to improve his skills and confidence at work. By developing a stronger understanding of engineering principles and steel production, he has been better able to understand how key factors such as temperature, timing and composition influence the quality of finished products.

One of the highlights of the course was developing practical problem-solving skills. During a work-based project, Charlie used structured methods to identify the causes of issues and help find effective solutions.

“This part of the course helped me think more clearly about problems and understand the challenges involved in making changes in an industrial environment,” he said.

The course also gave Charlie the opportunity to take part in a customer visit to the BMW plant in Swindon, where he saw how Tata Steel products are used in manufacturing and why meeting quality standards is so important.

“Seeing how our steel is used by customers really brought home how important quality is and what can happen if standards aren’t met,” he said. “It also helped me understand customer expectations and build professional relationships.”

Professionally, the apprenticeship has strengthened Charlie’s ability to carry out his day-to-day role. He has developed a better understanding of how to assess process performance and identify areas for improvement, helping him contribute more effectively to workplace projects.

The impact of the course has been reflected in Charlie’s recent promotion from Higher Technical Apprentice to Shift Quality Technologist, a role that comes with greater responsibility and a direct impact on customer satisfaction.

“In my current role, I assess product quality, support investigations into defects and help put improvements in place,” he said. “The course has given me the confidence to apply what I’ve learned in real situations.”

Charlie plans to continue building his technical and leadership skills and hopes to progress his studies further by undertaking a master’s qualification to support his future career at Tata Steel.

Matthew Wicker, Head of UWTSD’s Apprenticeships said: “Congratulations to Charlie on his progression and continued success. Our Degree Apprenticeships are designed to bridge the gap between degree level knowledge and the technical skills required by our partner employers and the sector.

“By combining academic study with hands-on experience, we are helping learners to fill required skills gaps and supporting employers to retain the right people to develop their organisation.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071