GREAT BRITISH ENGINEERS TRIUMPH
17/02/2014 Enginuity
The nation could benefit from the dawn of a new 'golden age' of Great British engineering - an industry leader has pledged.The comments came as Semta, which represents 128,000 British Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering (AME) companies, celebrated the sector's success at a glittering awards ceremony in London.
Eight brilliant engineers, companies and organisations - leaders in their field - were honoured at the inaugural Semta Skills Awards before a packed audience of senior industrialists and The Rt. Hon. Dr. Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Allan Cook, CBE, Chairman of Semta, which is engineering skills for the future, said: "Semta knows that our industry is in good hands.
"The individuals, organisations and companies represented here are carrying out some extraordinary work and are flying the flag for our country, winning orders, plaudits and adding significant value to the UK balance of trade."
Mr Cook, who also chairs Atkins and Selex ES, went on to say: "An abundant era, blessed with exceptional talent, application and dedication is upon us - and the real winner is Great Britain itself."
The Chairman's remarks were epitomised by 21-year-old Jade Aspinall, from Bolton who won Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Marshall) and was crowned overall champion and bestowed the Best of British Engineering award.
Jade, an Advanced Engineering Apprentice at MBDA, in Lostock, Bolton impressed the expert judging panel with the quality of her work, dedication to personal and company advancement and her passion to help attract talented young women to a rewarding career in engineering.
The Apprentice of the Year had to demonstrate outstanding performance and achievement and be prepared to act as an ambassador for vocational education and training.
Business Secretary Dr. Vince Cable said: "This nation is rightly proud of its industrial heritage. The energy and ingenuity demonstrated by all the winners and nominees of the Semta Skills Awards goes to show that this country can still turn out engineers capable of beating the best in the world
"Britain is a nation of entrepreneurs and the majority of the 128,000 companies that Semta represents are SMEs, the backbone of our economy. It is wonderful to see so many receiving accolades here tonight."
Other winners of the Semta Skills Awards at the Park Plaza Riverbank, London were:
Higher Apprentice of the Year (sponsored by Rolls-Royce) - Daniella Di Stazio, 21, from MBDA in Stevenage, has been working closely with a supply chain transformation team.
Graduate of the Year (sponsored by Atkins) - David Cross, 25, an Operations Management graduate at Rolls-Royce. David graduated from the University of Nottingham with a MEng Mechanical Engineering with Management and has experienced working in different functions across Rolls-Royce.
Training Partner of the Year (sponsored by EAL) - Babcock, the Hampshire based company delivers a unique advanced residential four year programme for EDF Energy, working with the business in the design and delivery of nuclear engineering training for its apprentice nuclear engineer.
Skills Champion of the Year (sponsored by BAE Systems) - Stephen Ollier, Pentaxia from Derby. Stephen employs five apprentices and six graduates out of a total workforce of 35. He is currently working with Semta, Derby College and the Composites Skills Alliance to develop a suitable composites apprenticeship programme to meet the needs of Pentaxia and other local composite companies.
Skills Innovation of the Year (sponsored by Siemens) - Toyota Manufacturing UK Ltd, Burnaston, Derbyshire. Managers helped develop a programme to allow non-Toyota companies to undertake apprenticeships at its Development Centre. So far 21 apprentices from seven SMEs from Toyota's supply chain have begun the four year apprenticeships.
SME Investment of the Year (sponsored by Pera Training) - Berthon Boats, Lymington, Hampshire. The thriving company has a workforce of 150 including 30 apprentices and six graduates. It led an apprenticeship expansion pilot programme for the National Apprenticeship Service 2009/11 bringing 60 extra apprentices into the Marine Industry.
The other major announcement on the night was that 24-year-old Sam Etherington from Cumbria was invested into the Semta Engineering Hall of Fame. The electrical engineer, who has pioneered a revolutionary wave power generation system, joins ten other greats in the sectors official 'shrine' to the 'immortal' great British Engineers.
They are:
John Rennie (1761-1821), George Stephenson (1781-1848), Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-1859), Joseph Bazalgette (1819-1891), Sir Benjamin Baker (1840-1907), Barnes Wallis (1887-1979), Sir John Ambrose Fleming (1848-1945), Dame Caroline Haslett (1895-1957), Verena Holmes (1889-1964), Sir Frank Whittle (1907-1996)
Ann Watson, Chief Operating Officer of Semta, paid tribute to Sam's extraordinary achievement at such a tender age.
"The best days of great British engineering are ahead of us - Sam will become an iconic figure for the next generation that are set to achieve extraordinary things."
For more information, please visit: www.semta.org.uk
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