ANNUAL EEF APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2008
Outstanding engineering apprentices from two Coventry based companies have been named as the 2008 West Midlands Engineering Apprentices of the Year.
Seventeen year old Rolls Royce employee Lee Jackson-Clarke, who was the youngest finalist, won the First Year Apprentice category. Meanwhile, Sophia Lock (24) from LTI Vehicles was announced as the Final Year Apprentice winner.
The awards, now in their twelfth year, are organised and run by EEF, the Manufacturers’ Organisation to recognise and reward the outstanding engineering apprentices in the region.
Lee and Sophia were presented with their awards by David Richards CBE, Chairman of Pro Drive and Aston Martin at an awards dinner attended by over 300 people at the ICC in Birmingham.
Sophia, who was a runner up in the First Year Apprentice Category in 2005, began her apprenticeship with LTI as an engineer in 2004. The former Stoke Park School pupil was nominated by LTI for her excellent leadership skills, exemplary attitude and her ability to take on any challenging role she has been given. Sophia has worked on numerous new product introductions including the TX IV and was recently awarded a silver award in the company’s recognition scheme. She has now become an important part of LTI’s Manufacturing Team.
Sophia regularly attends career events and visits secondary schools to promote engineering and apprenticeships to young people. She has also featured in DVDs and was on a careers stand at the 2008 British Motor Show.
One of Sophia’s passions is to change attitudes towards engineering. On receiving her award she said she wanted to prove that women can make a difference and succeed in what many perceive as a male dominated environment. She also wants to help attract more people in to the industry.
“I want to stay in industry to gain as much experience and knowledge as possible, complete a Mechanical Engineering Degree and hopefully climb the career ladder to take on a management role. In the future I would like to take on a teaching role, the UK has the best engineering minds in the world and I would like to be a part of encouraging a new generation of engineers.”
Lee Jackson-Clarke, from Hampton Magna in Warwickshire, started his modern technical apprenticeship with Rolls Royce in September last year after gaining excellent grades in his GCSEs. As part of his apprenticeship he attended off the job training at Warwickshire College in Leamington Spa on a full time basis. There he gained an NVQ Level 2 foundation as well as Key Skills Level 2 and BTEC National Certificate Year one.
Rolls Royce described Lee as an excellent ambassador for their company and the engineering industry as a whole. In recognition of his hard work and great determination Lee was awarded two awards from Warwickshire College, the Rolls Royce first year apprentice award, and the K&C Trophy for C & G 2301 CNC machine setting and operation.
Lee was a member of the Air Cadets and has completed his Duke of Edinburgh award to bronze standard.
Speaking about his decision to become an apprentice Lee said:
“I was unsure whether to stay on for sixth form or leave to go to college. I attended a careers event organised by Connexions in Leamington Spa and a stand at the Farnborough Air Show, before deciding that an apprenticeship would be the best option for me. It enables me to extend my education while receiving on the job training.
“My main goal is to become a Chartered Engineer. However, that is the top step of the ladder and I need to continue to work hard to achieving my goal. Rolls Royce has been excellent in offering additional courses and training for my future development.”
To reach this stage, the thirteen finalists were selected and nominated by their host companies. They then had to undertake two rounds of judging including an intensive 20 minute interview with an expert panel to evaluate their overall performance.
The apprentices are split in to two categories of first year and final year apprentices. All finalists receive a cheque for £250, with the winners of each category walking away with an additional cheque for £350.