Supporting students and staff in her role as motor vehicle technician: Meet Trudy Morris

Trudy Morris is a HGV-qualified driver and a motor vehicle mechanic working as a technician at Coleg Sir Gâr’s motor vehicle centre at Pibwrlwyd campus in Carmarthen.

Inspired by her dad, a mechanic who ran his own haulage company, Trudy grew-up helping out with all kinds of jobs and vehicles in his workshop. 

What really catalysed her into working with vehicles was when she was given an old Mini for her 15th birthday which was a project in itself that she worked on with her dad until she was old enough to drive. “It was working on that mini that really got me going,” said Trudy. 

After she left school, Trudy started a full-time course at Coleg Sir Gâr, where she now works, and then signed-up for an apprenticeship in a garage and furthered her employment skills and qualifications.

During this time, she also worked at the college’s Saturday Club for young people interested in motor mechanics and as a keen biker, she also worked two evenings a week at the college’s motorcycle maintenance and repair course. 

Trudy also spent a few years driving haulage vehicles after qualifying with an HGV licence.

Her current role as technician at Coleg Sir Gâr, involves maintaining the centre’s vehicles, inspecting equipment and tools, ordering parts, setting-up the workshop for students’ practical sessions and generally supporting lecturers and students in their day-to-day activities.

Trudy Morris said: “I really enjoy meeting the students and getting to know them and watching their confidence grow.

“In the motor trade there is always something different to do and you never stop learning new things.

“The industry changes so very quickly, which is a challenge in itself trying to keep up with the times.”