Posted by: Lorna Waterworth Category: NWAA news Date: Friday, February 4, 2011

The region’s best young aerospace engineers were honoured last night’s at the North West Aerospace Alliance New Talent Awards.

The ceremony, held at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), Manchester, saw five prizes handed out to the region’s brightest and best, along with the training providers and universities which support their work.

Guest speaker Richard Noble OBE, (pictured) director of the Bloodhound supersonic car project, praised the work carried out by the entrants. He said: “It’s thrilling to see some of the work going on and to see some of the exciting activities these young people are involved in. The country needs them, and engineering needs them, we need to innovate and they are our future.”

The top prize, the AV Roe Trophy, which recognises the North West’s Best Apprentice, went to Alan Maguire of BAE Systems at Samlesbury, whose training is run by Xchanging HR Services.

The Irene Short Trophy, honouring the practical skills of the region’s apprentices through submitted pieces of test work went to Chris Wilkinson from Barnoldswick. Chris works at Burnley engineering and surface treatment specialists Hycrome, and his training is organised by Training 2000.

Another major honour was made to Sathyakumar Sharma of Greater Manchester, who studies at Salford University, who won the Sir Frank Whittle Award. This prize honours the student at a North West university whose final year project is rated highest against the criteria of innovation and potential for commercial application.

The ceremony also highlighted the work being carried out by the training and education establishments which support the region’s students and apprentices. The Training Provider Trophy went to Deeside College, while the North West Best University Award went to Salford University.

Awards were sponsored by Rolls Royce, BAE Systems, Unison Engine Components, Training 2000, MBDA , Xchanging HR Services and Nelson and Colne College. The awards are part of the NWAA’s Take off In Aerospace Campaign aimed at encouraging young people into the industry by changing the image of aerospace and engineering jobs.

Neil McKay, chairman of the NWAA, said: “The NWAA New Talent Awards are an important way to recognise the hard work and excellence of the region’s young engineers.

“There is a major skills gap in the engineering sector which must be filled, and these young award winners represent the future of the industry. It is heartening to see so many excellent nominations.

“It is also important to highlight the work conducted by the region’s training providers and universities, we should not underestimate their contribution in supporting these bright young people and the aerospace sector.”

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Feb 4, 2011 5:50