Forget Alan Sugar’s latest batch of wannabes. A Stone apprentice who works with local schools to raise awareness of engineering as a profession has been named Apprentice of the Year.
Gareth Hall, a second-year apprentice with ABB Power Systems in the town, has been named National Skills Academy for Power Apprentice of the Year.
Gareth was presented with his award by Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes at an awards ceremony held at Manchester’s Concorde Conference Centre.
The award was one of six categories in the People in Power Awards, which recognise and celebrate the success of employees in the power sector.
In selecting Gareth as Power Apprentice of the Year, the panel of judges recognised both the exceptional progress he has made, from joining ABB as an apprentice circuit engineer to becoming an integral member of a team helping to deliver multi-million-pound substation projects, as well as his general commitment to the engineering profession.
Gareth has become a driving force of ABB’s long-term recruitment programme, taking leadership of the Stone site’s school support scheme where he works with local schools to raise awareness of engineering as a potential career path.
ABB runs a range of training and development programmes catering for craft apprentices, technical apprentices and graduates. Now in the final year of his apprenticeship Gareth will be looking to progress further in both his career with ABB as well in continuation of his studies.
Stephen Trotter, division head of ABB’s Power Systems business in the UK, said: “We are delighted to congratulate Gareth on receiving this award. It is a tribute to the major contribution he is already making to ABB and highlights the exceptional career opportunities now available for young people in the power sector.
“As Gareth is finding out, an ABB apprenticeship not only combines early real-world experience with rigorous tuition and guided study leading to a recognised qualification, it can put you on the way to the top. Many of our most senior engineers started out as apprentices.”
Related Posts:
