Institution news
The Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award honours the achievements of the Institution’s Apprentice Affiliate members, and the impressive contribution they make to the engineering sector, industry and the global economy.
The Institution is encouraging all Apprentice Affiliate Members to apply and for engineering professionals to nominate any exceptional apprentices working for their organisation.
The winner will receive an educational grant of £1,500 to support their career development. The winner and two runners-up will also be formally recognised at the Institutions’ Vision Awards to be held in London in September.
The Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year 2015 Award is presented to an Apprentice Affiliate member of the Institution who has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their professional development, and has shown how they have made a positive difference to their company.
Apprentice Affiliate membership is the first step of the journey for apprentices aiming to become professionally registered. This award helps the Institution champion the hard work and dedication of Apprentice Affiliate members as they progress through their apprenticeships and work towards their EngTech professional registration status.
Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year in 2014 was Suzanne Birney (pictured above, middle), a Trainee CAD Technologist at Doosan Babcock.
Suzanne joined Doosan Babcock in 2011 as an apprentice and completed an HNC in Mechanical Engineering, SVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations and an HND in Mechanical Engineering. Suzanne excelled as an apprentice and 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.
Suzanne has worked to encourage more girls to consider engineering as a career. She has made presentations to high school girls about careers and apprenticeships in engineering and spoke at a National Women in Engineering Day conference in Scotland.
She said: “Engineering is absolutely key to society. Nothing works without engineering, and as technology develops, the engineering just becomes more challenging. Everyone needs engineering, even if they don’t recognise it!”
Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year runners-up in 2014 were Gerard Brown (pictured above, left) and Andrew Cartwright (pictured above, right).
About the award
The award is named after Bryan Hildrew, a former apprentice and president of the Institution in 1980. Bryan started his career as an apprentice with the North Eastern Marine Engine Works in Sunderland and had a successful career, which included working as the Technical Director at Lloyd’s Register of Shipping.
Apply
Visit our page on Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award to find out more or download the application form. Entries close on 30 June 2015.