Ty Watson

WORK HISTORY

SKILLS

ABOUT TY WATSON

I didn’t grow up with networks or advantages — I grew up on free school meals, with parents who never went to university. That experience drives me every day. I know first-hand how opportunity can change a life, and I’ve dedicated my career to making sure more young people — especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds — get that same chance.My turning point came through rugby. It opened up opportunities I never would have had otherwise, and it taught me the attitudes and behaviours that have shaped my life and leadership: resilience, teamwork, respect, and commitment. Those qualities are too often missing today — not just in the workforce, but in society as a whole — yet they are vital if young people are to thrive in the future. Now, coaching my son’s under-12s team, I pass those same lessons on to the next generation.Today I’m Partnerships Director at EDT (Engineering Development Trust), home of Industrial Cadets, where we’re building Future Pathways that connect young people to the jobs of the future — in Net Zero, Digital & AI, Health & Life Sciences, and Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing. Our ambition is bold: 1 million Industrial Cadets experiences by 2035.I bring the perspective of someone who’s lived the barriers, built the partnerships, and is now shaping organisations to deliver impact at scale. For me, this work isn’t just about skills — it’s about social mobility, opportunity, and building the kind of workforce and society we need for the future.If you’re an employer, funder, or policymaker looking to close skills gaps and create opportunity at scale, I’d love to connect.