Future engineers from Plymouth have scooped top awards at a ceremony attended by HRH Prince of Wales.
Ministry of Defence (MOD) engineering apprentices based at Devonport Naval Base were presented with their awards at a ceremony in London.
The apprentices, employed by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), attended the MoD Apprentice of the Year Award Ceremony in MOD Main Building in London.
The awards were presented by His Royal Highness, Prince of Wales, with a Devonport apprentice winning top awards, including the Gold Apprentice of the Year Award.
Despite having one of the smallest entries, Devonport apprentices not only brought home the gold accolade, but had two nominees in the top 10.
They also won the Phase One Hand Skills competition with the Devonport team awarded the Defence Infrastructure Organisation top prize for the Sustainability Recycling Challenge for innovative thinking.
Devonport also had a finalist in the new Prince of Wales’s Award for Services to Defence Engineering.
Lorna Stubbs, the Devonport Apprentice Development Manager said: ”His Royal Highness took time to talk to the apprentices and their families, which meant a great deal to them and reinforced the national importance of what they are doing.
“Whilst there were clear individual winners, collectively, Devonport apprentices continue to impress with their enthusiasm and passion for engineering as well as embracing wider aspects of their apprenticeship.”
She said the Prince of Wales was extremely interested in the local project Devonport apprentices undertook when they revamped Mount Wise Primary School’s playground, and in particular the engagement with local STEM activities.
Matt Schofield, Apprentice of the Year winner, visited school to promote STEM subjects as part of his role.
He said: “It was incredible to win, as I was aware of the outstanding quality of work of all of those selected for the final 10.
“Engineering is an incredible career and I am just lucky to be doing something at DE&S that I enjoy so much.”
Phase One Hand Skills Award winner Sarah Hughes, also picked up a second award as part of the DE&S Devonport’s Sustainability Recycling Challenge, alongside Declan Heard, Lawrence Parker and Chris Nowell-Smith.
Sarah said: “It was wonderful that my family and partner were able to come and support me – it’s been a very special day.
“I have spent a lot of time going into schools and exposing children to the opportunities available in engineering at DE&S.”
