A number of Engineering Apprentices at Bridgwater College were recently highly acknowledged by the Engineering industry, when they dominated the Apprentice award categories at this year’s South West Regional Engineering Employer’s Federation (EEF) Future Manufacturing Awards Ceremony which was held at the At-Bristol Science Museum in Bristol.

The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards are one of the most highly established and respected regional and national recognition events of success in the manufacturing industry. In order to reach the ceremony, the apprentices were nominated and selected to undergo a rigorous interview process before being shortlisted to attend the awards ceremony.

In the Outstanding Achievement by a First Year Apprentice category, five out of the six shortlisted apprentices were students of Bridgwater College, with all three of the award winners coming from the College. The overall regional winner went to Matthew Neal, who is completing his apprenticeship with HepcoMotion. Lloyd Cox, who works for Rolls-Royce plc was runner up and Thomas Edwards was high commended for his apprenticeship at GE Oil and Gas. Issac Herbert and Parsa Jafarian, both working on apprenticeships with Rolls-Royce plc, were also shortlisted for this category.

Commenting on Matt’s achievement HepcoMotion’s Engineering Training Manager Bob Gregory said,

“We are delighted by Matt’s achievement. As a company we are fully committed to apprenticeships. It not only makes sounds business sense but also gives us a real buzz to see our young engineers developing and succeeding.”

Matthew Neal added,

“I’m delighted and shocked to have won this award. It’s a great feeling to be recognised in this way for doing something I genuinely enjoy and that is setting me up for life. I’m only at the very start of my career in manufacturing and already it is proving to be both rewarding and challenging in equal measure.”

Matthew will now move on to the EEF Future Manufacturing National Finals, which will be held in London in on 27 January 2016.

Two apprentices were also shortlisted for the Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Award (Final Year), Benjamin Jenkins, who works for GE Oil and Gas, and Michael Rose. Michael, whose apprenticeship is with Powrmatic Ltd received the Regional Highly Commended award.

Paul Goss, Head of Engineering at Bridgwater College said,

“It’s fantastic to see the results of our strong partnerships with employers. These accomplishments clearly demonstrate how the College’s Engineering Department listens to the needs of our employers and responds to their needs by working together. As a result, we produce first class apprentices that add real value to our employers businesses.”