Marybeth is no stranger to hard work.
Her career has taken her through early years teaching, stacking shelves at Waitrose and working as a chef. But it wasn’t until she took a role in traffic management that she found herself on the path to pipeline inspection.
One day, while stationed at a pipeline site, she noticed an inspector at work. Curious, she started a conversation, which ultimately led her to IACS and the ‘Practitioner in Pipelines for Hydrogen and Utilities’ (PIPHU) apprenticeship. She applied, was accepted, and became a part of the second cohort of IACS apprentices in 2024.
Now, Marybeth is training to become a pipeline inspector and is one of just a handful of females that is taking on a traditionally male-dominated role.
The journey so far…
Adapting to this new career wasn’t just about learning the trade – it was about adjusting to an entirely different lifestyle. Being away from home was tough, but not in the ways she expected – staying in hotels, living out of a suitcase, and navigating unfamiliar roads and areas were all challenges Marybeth had to overcome.
Academically, the theory side of the apprenticeship has been the hardest part for her. Juggling, studying, writing reports and being on-site hasn’t been easy, especially alongside her responsibilities as a mum.
Marybeth explains:
“You learn to adapt. My daughter is older now, so I can travel as much as I do. But if she was younger, this role wouldn’t have been an option for me personally. Of course, I still need to manage everything – sort her food, and her laundry and make sure she’s looked after. Thankfully, I have a strong support network and that makes a huge difference.”
Despite these challenges, Marybeth has embraced the role, the onsite experience and the learning process and has already gained qualifications in Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI) as well as coating and painting. Coating was her first introduction to the trade and is an area that she really enjoys, but welding has been a completely different experience.
Marybeth comments:
“I thought welding was just… welding. But there’s so much more to it. The level of precision and skill needed is something I didn’t expect. It certainly makes you respect those that make it look so easy!”
Through it all, Marybeth has leaned on skills from her previous jobs – especially patience and confidence.
“While we are new to the industry, we certainly know what we’re talking about thanks to the theory, experience and support that we are receiving. In our job, all work must meet industry standards and client specifications, so we need to have the confidence to stand our ground. While this can be a challenge, I have found that if you’re confident in what you’re saying, people respect you for it.”
Women in the Industry…
While Marybeth acknowledges that being one of just a few women in this field can occasionally bring challenges, Marybeth is determined to break stereotypes and help attract more females into the role.
She comments:
“I can understand why many would think that working in a male-dominated industry is intimidating. But every job can be, especially when it’s new.
“At the end of the day, I just remember that I have had the same training and am just as capable as my colleagues. I’m proud of the fact that through our training and support on-site, we are demonstrating this. It’s not about proving a point, it's just about doing the job – well.”
Her advice to women considering a role in pipeline inspection is simple: do your research, be ready to learn and be confident.
Marybeth adds:
“This apprenticeship is an incredible tool to get into the industry. The way it’s structured means you’re learning as you work, so you get hands-on experience while also gaining qualifications. And you’re never alone – everyone is in the same boat, even if we are all at different stages in life, learning and apprenticeship journey.”
Shaping a future for others…
For Marybeth, the most satisfying part of the job is seeing a task or project done well.
“There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve done a job properly. It’s tough but just as rewarding.”
From asking one question on a job site to becoming part of an industry-leading apprenticeship, Marybeth’s journey is one of resilience, adaptability and determination.
Not only is she shaping her own future but she’s also helping to open doors for other women in the pipeline inspection industry.
About the apprenticeship…
The ‘Practitioner in Pipelines for Hydrogen and Utilities’ (PIPHU) apprenticeship provides a mixture of classroom-based learning at Hopwood Hall College and University Centre with practical on-site experience, which takes place over 16 months.
Each apprentice starts on a competitive salary of £28,000 per year, with opportunities to achieve performance-related incentives. Successful apprentices are offered a permanent role at IACS Ltd upon completion of the PIPHU apprenticeship.