Ten talented engineering apprentices who work for some of the region’s leading employers have received special awards at an annual ceremony which has run for almost 50 years.
Sponsors at the 48th annual South West Durham Training awards evening included Cummins Engines, Stanley Black & Decker, Nifco, Cleveland Bridge, Surtec N E Limited and Lorimer Electrical.
The apprentices were presented with cash awards or tools and silver salvers after excelling in their training at SWDT’s Newton Aycliffe centre, where thousands of skilled engineers have launched their careers over the past five decades.
The award winners included advanced apprentices Gary Patterson, 17, from Middleton St George, of Hitachi Rail Europe, who won the 2015 Electrical Award, and Kieran Laing, 19, from Tow Law, who is employed by William Cook, named Best Mechanical Trainee.
Advanced apprentice Adam Tervit, 17, of Bishop Auckland, who works for Surtech N E Limited, received the Machining Skills Award, and advanced apprentice Michael Spence, 17, from Darlington, of Cleveland Bridge Limited, secured the Fabrication Award.
Awards were also given to trainees who had achieved against the odds. Gavin Bellamy, who won the Award for Effort, is employed by steel casting manufacturer William Cook, and returned to education and training aged 30 after leaving school with no qualifications and working as a machine operator.
But the father-of-one, from Stanhope, proved it’s never too late to learn after passing his engineering apprenticeship as well as Level 2 Functional Skills in Maths, English and ICT. He is now enrolled on a Level 3 BTEC diploma in engineering and looking forward to his promotion to advanced apprentice.
Tutor Kevin White, who nominated Gavin for the award, said: “Gavin’s progress to date has been phenomenal and shows great dedication. He is the epitome of what makes my job worthwhile.”
Gavin, who became a dad five months ago, said he was as surprised as he was delighted to receive the award: “Thanks to the support of William Cook and South West Durham Training I am achieving things I didn’t think were possible only a couple of years ago and feel really positive about the future.”
SWDT is a subsidiary of Bishop Auckland College and Principal & Chief Executive Natalie Davison attended the awards ceremony along with SWDT Chief Executive Lee Childs and representatives of employers and sponsors.
Natalie Davison said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the dedication and hard work shown by all the award winners, whom we wish well in their future careers, and to the superb support they have been given by their employers.”
Bishop Auckland College and South West Durham Training work with more than 650 employers and are currently advertising 50 apprenticeship vacancies. An apprenticeships open evening is being held at the Woodhouse Lane campus on Thursday January 14th from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.
To find out more and pre-register visit bishopaucklandcollege.ac.uk or email [email protected] or tel 01388 443000.
The full list of award winners:
2015 Best Year 10 School Learner Award – Kacper Siembida, Woodham Academy
2015 Best Education Village Learner – Macauley Dean, The Education Village
2015 Machining Award – Adam Tervit, 17, Bishop Auckland
2015 Electrical Award – Gary Patterson, 17, Middleton St George
2015 Mechanical Award – Kieran Laing, 19, of Tow Law
2015 Fabrication Award – Michael Spence, 17, from Darlington
2015 Award for Effort – Gavin Bellamy, 31, from Stanhope
2015 Health and Safety Award – Michael Davison, 19, from Washington
2015 Best BTEC Diploma in Engineering Learner – Keiron Tague, 23 from Bishop Auckland
2015 Final Year Advanced Apprentice Award – Ross Douglas, 19, of Willington.