Awards for Wirral apprentices (From Wirral Globe)
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Awards for Wirral apprentices
10:44am Friday 2nd November 2012 in News
Award-winning apprentices Keiran Sait, Calvin Deer, Kirsten Blood, Johnathan Williams, Kit Costello, Anthony Serridge, Ben Birch, Paul Caley.
BIRKENHEAD-based Maritime and Engineering College North West has announced the winners of its 2012 apprenticeship awards.
Kirsten Blood, a mechanical engineering apprentice with Cammell Laird was crowned overall apprentice of the year.
Kirsten, who was also named Cammell Laird apprentice of the year, was presented with her awards by Mike Hill of Cammell Laird.
Other prizes went to Johnathon Williams of Davidson Williams for special achievement, Ben Birch of Cammell Laird for welding and Anthony Serridge from Hamilton Engineering as small business apprentice of the year.
Kieran Sait became Peel Ports’ apprentice of the year, Calvin Deer the ECITB apprentice of the year, Bradlee Jefferies of Genco Logistics won the international trade and logistics (ITLO) category and the schools’ programme award was scooped by Kit Costello of Woodchurch High school.
Paul Caley, an engineering tutor at the college, was named MECNW’s inspirational staff member of the year.
The ceremony included special guests Mike Hill, production Manager with Cammell Laird and a former apprentice of MECNW and Martin Eatough, head of apprenticeship programmes at the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.
Jim Teasdale, chief executive of MECNW, which is part of Mersey Maritime Group, said the apprentices represent the bright future of maritime and engineering.
"I would like to congratulate all of the apprentices who were shortlisted for awards," he said.
"Without exception these young people are demonstrating excellence in the skills that are so critical to our sector moving forward.
"Over the next 10 years the 28,000 strong maritime workforce on Merseyside is set to double.
"In order to seize the opportunities on offer, the sector needs a massive injection of young talent.
"Our aim is to work with employers to give them exactly the skills they need to grow and win work.
"Kirsten and all of our award-winning apprentices represent the future of a growing industry.
"We are proud of the part that our college and tutors play in helping nurture their success."
Cammell Laird chief executive, John Syvret said Kirsten was an inspiration to women wishing to pursue engineering careers.
He said: "Kirsten's success underlines the fact that young women can break the mould and make headway in the world of engineering.
"I would also like to congratulate welding apprentice Ben Birch who recently won the UK Apprentice Welders’ Competition and scooped tonight's welding prize.
"Their achievement is testament to hard work and the excellent training they are receiving with Cammell Laird and MECNW. We would encourage more young people to seek out a career in engineering."
