👋 Meet Kieron McCormick
Chief Executive at Elevated Knowledge
With 28 years of experience across engineering, leadership, and training, Kieron leads Elevated Knowledge with a strong belief in the power of high-quality apprenticeships and employer-focused education. His career began through his own engineering apprenticeship, where he quickly developed a passion for practical problem-solving and understanding how engineering works in real-world environments.
Kieron’s background spans the lift and escalator industry, chemical plant environments, and electrical design. His career progression has taken him from apprentice engineer to lift engineer, field service manager, technical training manager, and ultimately Chief Executive. One of his most formative early projects was working on the commissioning of coke ovens at Scunthorpe Steelworks — a challenging, large-scale industrial environment that shaped his understanding of safety, planning, collaboration, and how engineering design translates into practical delivery.
As his career progressed, Kieron moved into leadership roles at a relatively young age, where he saw first-hand the skills gap facing the engineering sector. This experience inspired him to move into training and education, with a clear aim: to create an organisation that delivers high-quality, employer-led engineering training that develops both technical competence and professional behaviours.
Kieron holds a range of qualifications across electrical engineering, lift engineering, leadership, management, health & safety (NEBOSH), and technical disciplines. He has also completed advanced technical training in China on the installation and maintenance of Mitsubishi Electric lift and escalator systems, gaining valuable exposure to international best practice and large-scale engineering methodologies.
In his role as CEO, what Kieron enjoys most is shaping the direction of the organisation while seeing the direct impact that strong leadership and quality training have on people’s lives. He values staying connected to learners and delivery, ensuring decisions remain grounded in real practice. His leadership style is supportive, clear, and outcome-focused — setting high standards while encouraging open communication, accountability, and problem-solving rather than blame.
Kieron wants learners to leave with confidence, a clear understanding of industry expectations, and the ability to apply their learning safely and effectively in the workplace. For anyone feeling nervous about starting, his message is reassuring and realistic:
“Feeling nervous is normal. Take it one step at a time, ask questions early, and focus on progress rather than perfection — confidence builds quickly.”
Outside of work, Kieron still enjoys taking things apart and fixing them — a curiosity that has never left him. He also enjoys playing golf and flying small aircraft, combining technical skill, discipline, and continuous learning. A memorable fun fact? He once acted as the on-site lift engineer for Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Crewe station.
Kieron is proud of building a career that started with an apprenticeship and grew into leading an organisation that supports learners, employers, and the wider engineering sector. He remains passionate about raising standards, developing people, and strengthening the future of engineering in the UK.
Kieron’s advice for new learners:
“Choose a path that lets you build practical skills early. Be curious, reliable, and committed — engineering rewards those who take pride in learning and doing the job properly.”
☕ Tea or coffee? Both — flat white or a builder’s mug of tea
🔍 Favourite tool: My favourite tool is a multimeter. I enjoy fault finding and working through problems methodically, and feel that it is one of the most effective tools for diagnosing issues and understanding how systems operate in practice.
🧰 First job: First real job, Apprentice design engineer but before that paper rounds and work in a butcher’s shop whilst at school which gave me an early understanding of responsibility, work ethic, and the value of earning while learning
⚙️ Favourite engineering invention: Relays and contactors
🥐 Go-to snack: Anything quick and practical, I’m partial to a Sausage roll
