Our Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year in 2014 is Suzanne Birney. Suzanne is a Trainee CAD Technologist at Doosan Babcock. She describes herself as “over the moon” to have won the prize and Doosan Babcock is also very proud of her achievement. She follows in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Lynsey McKee, who works in the same department as Suzanne – an amazing endorsement of Doosan Babcock’s Apprenticeship Scheme, as well as Suzanne’s hard work.
At school Suzanne enjoyed Graphic Communications and Maths, and her careers advisor pushed her gently towards engineering. Suzanne joined Doosan Babcock in 2011 at the age of 17, having been persuaded by her father (who also works there) to put in an application as practice for future interviews and aptitude tests.
However, she was successful with her apprenticeship application and has not looked back. She completed an HNC in Mechanical Engineering, SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations and an HND in Mechanical Engineering. She is now set to do a BEng in Mechanical and Electronic Systems Engineering at Glasgow Caledonian University.
She was awarded the Hammermen Award for the best engineering student at Glasgow Clyde College – Anniesland Campus, and then went on to win a Prince Philip Prize under the Incorporation of Hammermen, which covers all the colleges in the West of Scotland. She has enjoyed her training and studying for qualifications, while also getting work experience. She has particularly enjoyed the 3D modelling for burners in power stations.
This area will remain of key importance as power stations change the fuel they use and strive to improve efficiency. She has excelled as an apprentice and even managed a project for Drax Power Station during a secondment in manufacturing, involving lots of communication with onsite staff and the foreman on the shop floor. She has appreciated the good support network of past and present apprentices, as well as the more experienced engineers.
“I have really benefitted from the knowledge of the engineers who have many years’ service, and know all the Doosan Babcock processes and procedures, and they give continuity and consistency.” She is a buddy to two other apprentices in Doosan Babcock, which means she is their first point of contact for any issues. She is also responsible for organising all of the apprentice reviews and document submissions.
Suzanne has not only presented to high school girls about careers and apprenticeships in engineering, but also at a recent National Women in Engineering Day conference in Scotland. She found it inspiring to be networking with other women in different engineering roles. “Engineering is absolutely key to society,” Suzanne says.
“Nothing works without engineering, and as technology develops the engineering just becomes more challenging. Everyone needs engineering, even if they don’t recognise it!”
About the Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award
This award has been running since 2010, and the Institution is pleased that in 2014 it became the Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award, in recognition of Bryan Hildrew a former apprentice and President of the Institution.
Bryan Hildrew did his apprenticeship with the North Eastern Marine Engine Works, Sunderland. He attended Sunderland Technical College, and studied for an external degree at London University and joined the Royal Navy as an Engineer Officer after completing his apprenticeship.
After a successful career in research, and travelling the world, he became the Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping. Bryan Hildrew became the President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1980.
To win this award the apprentices must demonstrate outstanding study skills, and show how they have made a positive difference to their company. They should have gone above and beyond their normal duties, often taking on extra responsibilities.
Any charity or voluntary work is relevant, especially related to engineering and encouraging young people into engineering. Apprentices must also show a commitment to professional development and a career plan for the next three to five years.
Find out more about the
Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award.