Waterford female fabricator qualifies for World Skills competition

A female metal fabrication apprentice in Waterford has qualified for the World Skills competition. 

Nineteen year old, Leah Murphy, who attends the Waterford ETB is the only female in her class and has reached a very prestigious stage of the competition. 

Ms Murphy decided to take up an apprenticeship in Craft of Metal Fabrication, rather than the traditional route of third level education, which many of her friends would have chosen to do after the leaving cert. 

The apprenticeship gives Ms Murphy the opportunity to earn while she's undertaking the course. 

Speaking about Ms Murphy's time as an apprentice with Keltech, Operations Manager, Pat Butler, said she's very dedicated: “Leah’s talent was noticeable from day one, however what surpassed her talent and impressed me more was her attitude; immense, a pleasure to have on the course and in the company in general”.

Looking ahead, Ms Murphy has her sights firmly set on The World Skills Ireland competition later this year. “I love being challenged and getting the opportunity to display my skills," said Ms Murphy. 

"With what I have learned in Keltech over the past 3 years, combined with the excellent training being delivered by the WWETB, I’m confident that when the prelims come around I’ll be ready," she added. 

Speaking about her time as an apprentice to date, Ms Murphy explained how proud she is of how far she's come and to be paving the way for other females who wish to enter the industry: "There are so many opportunities to learn and develop, the tutors are all excellent. I’ve learnt a lot more about drawings, understanding them, how to plan and think everything through first before starting a task.

"I am the only female in my class, and the first female Metal Fabricator Waterford ETB has had. I'm proud of that, the first but not the last I hope," concluded Ms Murphy.