Engineering students proved they had the power to impress judges with their designs to harness energy.
Darlington College students Gareth Sloane, from Newton Aycliffe, and Jordan Marsh, from Richmond, have secured opportunities with four major employers – and £12,000 bursaries each to help pay for future studies.
The Level 3 extended diploma in engineering students secured the Encouraging Engineering award, which is backed by North-East companies Cummins Engines, CTC Marine, Mech Tool, and Henry Williams.
They had to pitch their proposals to a panel of experts in a gruelling interview to secure the top prize, which will allow them to continue their studies to master degree level.
For Gareth, of Newton Aycliffe, winning the award could be a first step to returning to Australia where he lived for two years as a teenager.
The 20-year-old perfected a design for an eco-exercise bike which would use the kinetic energy of the pedals to power the information and entertainment displays, including the TV.
In Australia, Gareth attended the school in Melbourne at which the original cricket stumps were burnt to produce the Ashes for the historic sporting prize.
“I loved Australia and have been looking into whether they need mechanical engineers,” he said.
“The Btec course was brilliant because the Darlington College tutors have such a lot of experience outside teaching in industry and what we learnt was so relevant to the real world.”
Jordan, 19, of Brompton-on-Swale, near Richmond, had designed a portable charge mat for phones and other small gadgets using batteries and wireless technology.
“I have always been interested in engineering,” he said. “I remember playing with my granddad’s Meccano set when I was a child and have always been fascinated by induction and power.
“I had hoped to work one day in the automotive world designing cars but can now see that mechanical engineering is much wider and more varied.”
Darlington College tutor Rob Elliott added: “To get two winners out of nine shortlisted for the award really is impressive.
“The project is about so much more than the money as it offers the students the chance to work with some of the best engineering companies in the world, who are very keen to develop local talent to fill a widening skills gap in the industry.”