Katie Gray loved the technical/science subjects she studied at school and knew she wanted a career in this sector. The impact engineering can have on the way we live our lives captivated her. The aviation industry is innovative and always changing. "I thrive when given the opportunity to learn new skills," she says, "and a career in the aviation industry has provided me with countless opportunities to learn."
Gray attended Perth College UHI acquiring: SVQ Performing Engineering Operations, SVQ Aeronautical engineering for component overhaul, and HNC engineering systems training. Advanced training includes accelerated route to lean manufacturing, Roffey Park deputy leadership, composite repair stage 1 with dark matter composites, and official Airbus training in visual and dimensional inspections, overhaul and repair of dynamic components for the Ecureuil aircraft.
Currently she is technical supervisor of Ecureuil Dynamic Components. She received Airbus training for the new Ecureuil dynamic components and provided technical assistance throughout the introductory project. She was responsible for workshop layout, equipment requirements, and associate training. She assists in the development of monthly revenue targets and is responsible for managing resources/equipment to achieve these targets. She works with customer service and the customer, to ensure all demands are satisfied. She is a Part 145 certifying staff and lead final inspector for Ecureuil Components, and the subject matter expert for enterprise resource planning (ERP) system at Almondbank, Perth, UK, after serving as the operations super user responsible for assisting with its implementation.
Nominated by Alex Youngs, vice president, Strategy & Analysis, Vector Aerospace: "Over and above her day-to-day responsibilities, Katie was also proactively involved in the training and mentoring of apprentices at Vector’s Almondbank location, as well as serving on the company’s ‘Improving Quality’ steering group, key influencers and continuous improvement team. Katie also served as an operations super user responsible for assisting with the implementation of a new ERP system at Almondbank. Katie’s responsibilities include liaising with Vector’s supply chain, technical support, and quality teams to ensure all required inputs are carried out to aid production, as well as coordinating with Vector’s customer support representative and Airbus itself to ensure that all customer demands are satisfied. Katie, who helped set up the new line, is also responsible for driving continuous improvement within the Ecureuil team. Katie is an Apprentice Steering Group member, and also volunteers at STEM (science, technology engineering and math) events, working with schoolchildren in engineering-related activities. Katie’s professional achievements were recognized earlier this year, when she was named Technician of the Year at the 2017 Semta Skills Awards, becoming the first Vector representative to be short-listed for this award."
Gray likes to encourage young people to consider a career in engineering, especially young women. "There are still many young women who do not realize they can have a successful career in engineering and aviation," she says. "I want to prove to them that it is possible and inspire the future generation to begin their career in the aviation industry."
As for the future, Gray wants to continue learning new skills, while improving and developing her existing knowledge.
