The Engineering College celebrates student commitment and success with Annual Awards Ceremony
On Thursday 25th October, The Engineering College welcomed over 80 guests to the annual Apprentice Awards evening, held at The Engineering College’s premises in Monks Ferry, Birkenhead to celebrate students of the college and their contribution to engineering, in what is also a celebration of the Engineering College’s 20 year commitment to the engineering industry. This prestigious event recognises some of the college’s young talent, with awards recognising pre-apprenticeship programmes and apprentices studying at level 3 and 4.
The guest speakers for the evening include, Mark Maudsley from GTA England, who delivered a presentation on what the future of apprenticeships looks like for students and employers and what is expected of apprentices with new standards. Commenting on apprenticeship behaviours, Mark commented, “these new standards are much more than a qualification, they are about developing tomorrow’s engineers; engineers who have the attitude, maturity and commitment to succeed, and that is what this evening is about – recognising students who have the potential to become quality engineers after their apprenticeship.”
Former apprentice and ambassador for the Women in Maritime taskforce, Kirsten Blood, spoke about her journey as an apprentice, from finding her apprenticeship to her current role as a Mechanical QC for Cammell Laird.
The third and final speaker of the evening, John Haynes, International Coaching Academy offered some lifting support to apprentices, talking about the tough journey of apprenticeships and the self-motivation and belief it takes to commit to a three or four year programme. To close his motivational speech, John asked the room to stand with him and say, “I am unstoppable, I feel fantastic and I’m flying with eagles”
Headline sponsor, ECITB presented their acclaimed ECITB Apprentice of the Year award to Anthony Moffitt, a former apprentice at Balfour Beatty who has proven to be a role model to his peers at Balfour Beatty and in college. Commenting on his success, Training Officer, Paul Gill commented, “Anthony has had an excellent approach to his studies since the first day of his apprenticeship. His drive and ambition have been pivotal in helping him progress through his programme. It was noticeable to college staff and his employer early in his programme that Anthony was an aspirational young engineer and Balfour Beatty have pushed him into different roles within the company to enhance his skills. From his apprenticeship, he has progressed to working on one of the North West’s largest nuclear sites, Sellafield.”
The second headline Sponsor, Cammell Laird presented the Cammell Laird Apprentice of the Year award to the winner of the 2017 ‘Development Stage Apprentice” award, Dean Scaife for his outstanding contribution to the workplace, high quality work and his positive work ethic. Presenting this award, Jeff Jones, Shipbuilding Manager from Cammell Laird, commented, “Over at the shipyard, we teach our apprentices about traditional engineering and the history of shipbuilding, but we rely on them to take us forward into the future, so it is great to present this award to an apprentice who is not only respectful of his peers, but demonstrates leadership qualities, a forward thinking mind and outstanding commitment”
A second Cammell Laird apprentice, Ryan Tiffin also picked up the accolade for ‘TWI Welder of the Year’ for 2018, an award that recognises excellent talent and skill in the welding discipline. Ryan’s Trainign Officer, Paul Caley commented, “Ryan is currently working on jobs that fully qualified tradesmen should be working on, he is very skilled and this is testament to Ryan’s ability as a welder.”
Second year apprentice Mary Sheriff, A1 Cbiss was recognised for her fantastic commitment to her apprenticeship studies and her employer. Mary, who won this year’s ‘The Engineering College Development Stage Award’ continues to excel in her studies after receiving a national ‘Best Newcomer’ SEMTA / GTA Award in early January.
A new award for 2018 ‘The Engineering College Advanced Apprentice’ was presented to Oliver Powell, a former apprentice at Murphy Group, formerly Land and Marine. Oliver’s tutors commented, “Oliver has developed into a very good and safe working young engineer. He has consistently submitted great work and is very supportive of his peers – a very inspiring engineer.”
Harry Eastwood from Murphy Group was awarded the prestigious ‘Peter Hagan Contribution to Engineering’ Award towards the end of the evening, for his commitment to his programme and the contribution he has made since starting his apprenticeship with Murphy Group. This award is a new award for 2018 and an award made in recognition of former employee and friend of The Engineering College, Peter Hagan who sadly passed away in February of this year.
Another company to scoop up multiple awards was Laker Vent in Ellesmere Port, whose apprentice Sonny Sword won awards for both The Engineering College Foundation Stage Award and the penultimate award for the evening, ‘The Jim Teasdale Overall Apprentice of the Year’ for 2018.
Eleven awards were presented in total to:
- STEM Student of the Year – Ben McEvoy
- Pre- Apprenticeship Student of the Year- Luke Healiss, Clarke Energy
- ITEC Student of the Year – Matthew Mowbray, MST Ltd
- The Engineering College Foundation Stage Apprentice – Sonny Sword, Laker Vent
- The Engineering College Development Stage Apprentice – Mary Sheriff, A1 Cbiss
- The Engineering College Advanced Apprentice of the Year – Oliver Powell, Murphy Group
- Cammell Laird Apprentice of the Year 2018 – Dean Scaife
- ECITB Apprentice of the Year 2018 – Anthony Moffitt, Balfour Beatty
- The Welding Institute ‘Welder of the Year’ 2018 – Ryan Tiffin, Cammell Laird
- The ‘Peter Hagan’ Contribution to Engineering Award – Harry Eastwood, Murphy Group
- The ‘Jim Teasdale’ Apprentice of the Year 2018 – Sonny Sword, Laker Vent
Congratulations again to all of our finalists and winners of the evening.
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