This year marks 80 years since we became Gateshead Technical College. That’s a big number — and we’re proud of it. But the numbers that really matter to us are the number of lives we’ve changed – the people, the apprentices, the students, the staff.
Among them is our Skills Bootcamp graduate Judith Lewis and for her the number 80 is extremely significant – she celebrated her 80th birthday earlier this year.
Realising that retirement wasn’t for her, Judith completed our AI and Machine Learning Level 5 Skills Bootcamp to deepen her understanding of technology and pursue new career opportunities, Judith’s story is a remarkable reminder that it’s never too late to learn something new.
“I had already completed a Women in Tech course at Durham University, which was really a taster of all the different sectors of tech you could go into,” Judith explains. “I was interested to learn more about AI—that’s when I saw the course at Gateshead College and thought I’d give it a go.”
Judith joined the Skills Bootcamp with curiosity and determination but admits the technical side didn’t come easy at first.
“My biggest challenge was getting my head around the machinery,” she says. “After the first lecture, I was struggling and couldn’t load the data or get anything to work.”
Thankfully, with a little encouragement from her tutor, John McKechnie, things began to click.
“He suggested a few things to try and that sorted me out. From then on, I knew what I was doing.”
The course covered everything from data cleaning and machine learning to the increasingly important topic of AI ethics, an area Judith found particularly compelling.
“It’s such a hot topic right now which is in the news constantly. The whole course was interesting, but the ethics side really stuck with me.”
For Judith, the course wasn’t just about a qualification. It was about pushing herself, staying curious, and opening up new possibilities.
“I’ve loved learning something new at this stage in life. It’s been a real challenge, but a good one and I was thrilled to graduate with a merit.”
Now, Judith is exploring roles where she can bridge the gap between business and technology, ideally working as an insight analyst or consultant translating business needs into clear direction for technical teams.
Before stepping into the world of AI, Judith ran her own successful business for 18 years, selling specialist fabrics and trimmings. What began as a niche retail venture evolved into her becoming the go-to supplier for film, television, and theatre productions.
“It all started by accident,” she laughs. “One of my first big orders turned out to be for Johnny Depp’s top hat in Alice in Wonderland. From there, it just grew Pirates of the Caribbean, Into the Woods… they all came back for more.”
Judith’s journey is a testament to lifelong learning and the spirit of reinvention. She’s grateful to the college staff not just for the training, but for their energy and encouragement.
“The vibe at the college was amazing. You felt uplifted, like you were really part of something.”
Asked what advice she’d give others thinking of returning to education later in life, Judith is clear: “Keep at it. And when it gets tough, talk to your tutor. The support is there—you just have to ask.”
As we celebrate eight decades of Gateshead College, we’re proud to count Judith as part of our story, an example that age is no barrier to ambition.
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