Apprentices in line for award (From Barry And District News)

Apprentices in line for award

TWO young Barry men are in the running for a prestigious national industry award.

Andrew Herbert, aged 23, and James Lane, aged 20, from Barry, will compete with representatives from across the country to become the 2005 EEF Cymru Wales Apprentice of the Year at the Cardiff International Arena tonight (December 8).

Andrew, GEAES aerospace apprentice at Nantgarw, was the overall initial year National Apprentice of the Year in 2003 - and he has won best apprentice award for his region every year since.

After qualifying as an engineer in September, Andrew was offered a full-time position with GEAES.

He is now a member of the highly skilled accessories team, which overhauls the main engine controls that are serviced at Nantgarw.

Andrew said: "Now that I am fully trained my ideas about the future are changing.

"Helping other apprentices to achieve their goal is more appealing now that I have completed my course."

To celebrate his unique achievements this summer, the company sent him and five other high-flying colleagues sailing for a week together on a yacht based in Port Solent as part of a national Aerospace team-building event.

Allan Price, training Manager for GEAES, said: "As far as I know Andrew is the first person from the company to gain first place awards for every year he has entered the competition.

"What stands out for me is that he will always go the extra mile to deliver, and the first to volunteer for any extra activities including many charity events including the 3 Peaks challenge for Ty-Hafan.

"GE Aircraft Engine Services consider apprenticeships as crucial to create a highly skilled workforce.

"Out of over 400 applicants the company takes on around 15 apprentices every year so the standards are very high."

Meanwhile, initial year winner for the region, James Lane, of Lafarge Cement, is a third generation engineer and follows his brother, father and grandfather into engineering.

James joined the Navy straight from Barry Comprehensive school to be trained as a aircraft mechanic, but didn't really enjoy the job. He applied for the only apprenticeship place with Lafarge Cement based in Aberthaw, and got the job after competing with more than 60 applicants.

James said: "Since leaving college in July I have worked in the laboratories at Lafarge checking quality, but I am looking forward to moving around and working in the other departments over the next three years."