Apprentices best in west

From the Swindon Advertiser, first published Friday 3rd Jan 2003.

CHAMBER NEWS: ENGINEERING trainees from Wiltshire are among the prize-winning apprentices who received their awards from TV personality Johnny Ball at a major presentation ceremony.

Damian Westerman of Network Rail is the top Initial Stage (Year 1) apprentice, while Nicola Yarwood of Mark Wilkinson Furniture at Bromham, near Devizes, is the winner of the Year 2 category. Lucent Technologies' Richard Ellis won the Year 3 section.

The successful trainees are among more than 50 prize-winners who attended Engineering Employers' Federation (EEF) Western Apprentice of the Year Awards at The Winter Gardens, Weston-super-Mare.

Apprentices, their employers and training providers from across the south west were at the ceremony, which honoured the rising young talent in the region's engineering and manufacturing sectors.

Johnny Ball, who has popularised science and technology through various television programmes, was keynote speaker at the ceremony, as well as presenting the awards.

He said: "With an apprenticeship, a young person can move in many directions, which is very important because jobs are no longer for life and people need to be adaptable."

Martin Bibey, Education and Skills Adviser for EEF Western, said: "Modern Apprenticeships are vital in developing and delivering the skills that industry throughout the south west needs. They also provide young men and women with a broad range of skills to develop a worthwhile and satisfying career"

The EEF Western Apprentice of the Year Award ­ now in its third year ­ is supported by the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), the local Learning & Skills Councils (LSCs) and EMTA (Engineering and Marine Training Authority).

Award-winning apprentices from Wiltshire are:

Initial Stage:

1. Damian Westerman, Network Rail

2. James Hutchinson, Network Rail

3. Adrian Ball, Heidelburg Graphic Equipment

Year 2:

1. Nicola Yarwood, Mark Wilkinson Furniture,

2. Carl Durrant, Tyco Electronics

3. Martin Grearson, Salisbury Switchgear.

Year 3

1. Richard Ellis, Lucent Technologies

2. Nick Goringe, Schneider Electric

3. Ashley Dredge, Premier Form Tools.

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