THE REGION'S young engineers have been celebrated in top prize giving evening.

Birkenhead's Engineering College hosted the event which saw almost 100 people gather for the college's 2017 Apprentice Awards.

A big winner on the night was Stadler's Jennifer Corkill who secured two awards - The Engineering College Development Stage Apprentice and The ‘Ian Yates’ contribution to Engineering Award for outstanding progression in the field.

Michael Dodd from Teledyne CML, received The Jim Teasdale Apprentice of the Year award.

This prize came just weeks after being named as a ‘runner up’ in the national Composites UK 2017 Industry Awards.

Meanwhile the TWI Welder of the Year award was handed to Thomas Jones from Cammell Laird, with the ECITB Apprentice of the Year award presented to Kurtis Kearns of Studley Engineering.

A total of 11 awards were handed out on the night. 

Engineering College chief executive Terry Weston said: “The college has seen an exceptional intake of young engineers and strong progression with existing students this year.

“This awards evening provides an opportunity to recognise the commitment and dedication shown by a range of students.

"The 2017 format included 11 awards in a bid to recognise each stage of an apprenticeship, as many of our student are with us for a number of years.

"Their progression is about embracing a journey.

"For this they need to develop professionalism, skill, knowledge and consistency over a period of time. Our students must show patience and tenacity to succeed.

“We hope the timing of our awards also resonates with industry as the national programme known as ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Week’ gathers pace.

"We are highly supportive of this industry-led campaign.

"It involves more than 300 employers and professional bodies from across the engineering community joining universities, schools and individuals in a week-long drive to inspire the next generation of engineers.

"This work is essential to plugging the major skills gap which not only exists within or Liverpool City Region but the broader engineering sector across the entire UK.

“The Engineering College is fully focused on listening to the demands of the market place.

"We are working across a range of sectors including construction, nuclear, petrochemical, renewables, oil and gas and the NHS to address their own unique challenges.”

Special appearances were made by Tranmere Rovers FC chairman Mark Palios, Cammell Laird operations director Mike Hill and Engineering College director Jim Teasdale who handed out awards.

Cammell Laird operations director Mike Hill handed out the Cammell Laird Apprentice of the Year award, which he secured himself in 1997.

He said: “The team at the Engineering College puts in a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication on a daily basis, adding value to the local community by putting circa 85 young people into full time employment each year.

“I was actually standing up here 20 years ago to the month, receiving this award and in fact was the first person to receive the Cammell Laird ‘Apprentice of the Year’ shield.

"I can remember the opportunities which were available to me at that time and like any young enthusiastic engineer, I grasped every opportunity that came my way.

"Amongst others, with similar stories to myself, we put in the hard work and dedication required and now, 20 years on I hold the position of Operations Director.

“It’s hard to grasp the magnitude of the opportunity that is available to us in the engineering sector in the coming years.

"Cammell Laird is hoping to engage in some huge market opportunities.

"Albeit there’s a lot of hard work to do to even try to become successful in these markets but the opportunity is very much there.

“This requires the guys here today who are picking up these awards to continue on the path they’re on, with drive, dedication and commitment.

"If these talented young apprentices can keep working hard it will certainly result in a bright future in the years to come.”

Since setting up almost two decades ago in 1998, the Engineering College has driven turnover to £1.7million employing 38 staff.