Local boy scoops top engineering prize
Local schoolboy, Thomas Broadbent came out tops at a prestigious awards ceremony held in London on 26th October at the Institution of Engineering & Technology. Thomas who was awarded an Arkwright Scholarship by the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) was also singled out to receive a top prize by the ‘Year in Industry’ organisation.
Thomas who is currently in the Sixth Form at Balcarras School, Cheltenham attended Cirencester Deer Park School when he was selected for his award. Thomas requested both schools have an equal share in the prize money.
The ECITB took the decision to be a sponsor of the Arkwright Scholarship eight years ago as part of its policy to attract young talent into the engineering construction industry. During that time it has sponsored almost one hundred scholars.
Nigel Spencer, Director of Development and Quality at the ECITB said: “Thomas won his award against stiff competition from the hundreds of other young people who applied to be an Arkwright Scholar. He is a fantastic example of the type of young person we are hoping to attract into the engineering construction industry.
“We are very proud of all eight of our Arkwright Scholars. They are an inspiring group of young people. Creative and talented, they are young people who are capable of becoming the leaders of tomorrow.”
“I am over the moon to have been awarded this ECITB scholarship,” said Thomas. “It’s amazing. I’m going to use the money I’ve won towards paying for a couple of engineering courses run by the Smallpeice Trust.”
The ECITB is a sponsor of the Arkwright Scholarship Trust, one of the most prestigious scholarship schemes in the UK. The engineering scholarships support students through their A Levels/Scottish Highers and encourage students to pursue engineering or related areas of design at university or through high-quality apprenticeships to take up careers in the field. It is awarded through a rigorous selection process to high-calibre students in Year 11 (England and Wales) and S4 (Scotland).
Arkwright Engineering Scholarships are widely respected by academia and industry and will greatly enhance the scholars CV. The award also means the scholars school will benefit financially as well as the scholar themselves.
“The Arkwright Scholarships are extremely important to us as an industry. The next generation of engineering construction workers will play a key role in shaping the future world,” said Nigel Spencer. “The industry is in a position to be able to offer exciting and well-paid careers to young people and our manpower forecast show that we will need 60,000 more skilled workers over the next ten years.”
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Notes to editors:
About the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
- The ECITB is the statutory and charitable body set up to secure engineering construction skills now and for the future. It has delivered training successfully to over one million learners over 20 years, and is led and funded by employers from the industry, ensuring the services are relevant and fit for purpose
- The ECITB provides professional advice, information, skills development and qualifications to help individuals in engineering construction and anyone interested in a career in the industry to succeed. A dedicated website has been set up to provide more detailed information http://careers.ecitb.org.uk/
- The ECITB sets a range of occupational and training standards, awards industry specific qualifications and invests £20 million each year in support of apprentices and adult learners across a range of skills. From entry level craft and technician programmes through to advanced engineering project management skills. In 2011, 65,000 people were supported through the ECITB’s range of approved programmes delivered by a network of over 200 approved providers.
- The ECITB strategy is built on three objectives, these are to attract, qualify and develop talented people for the industry. The ECITB operating processes that secure the depth, breadth and quality of service are: employer engagement, identification of skills needs and priorities, stakeholder and provider engagement, delivery and continuous improvement. The ECITB provides support to employers, their employees and apprentices to design, build, maintain and decommission nuclear, power, pharmaceutical, renewables, chemicals, food, water, oil & gas facilities and other processes.
For more information visit www.ecitb.org.uk
About The Arkwright Scholarships Trust
The Arkwright Scholarships Trust is a charitable organisation that inspires future leaders in engineering and related areas of design by increasing the number of high-calibre young people who pursue higher education and careers in the sector.
Arkwright tackles its aim by awarding Engineering Scholarships through rigorous selection to high-calibre students from all educational backgrounds to support them through their 'A' levels and Scottish Highers. Scholarships consist of an annual financial award to the Scholar and to her/his school, and a range of enrichment events that increase a Scholar's understanding of engineering and the world of work. Since 1991, Arkwright has awarded 2350 Scholarships, growing year on year.
01923 402118
ulrika.meegolla@ecitb.org.uk
About the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
The ECITB is the statutory and charitable body set up to secure engineering construction skills now and for the future. It has delivered training successfully to over one million learners over 20 years, and is led and funded by employers from the industry, ensuring the services are relevant and fit for purposeThe ECITB provides professional advice, information, skills development and qualifications to help individuals in engineering construction and anyone interested in a career in the industry to succeed. A dedicated website has been set up to provide more detailed information http://careers.ecitb.org.uk/ The ECITB sets a range of occupational and training standards, awards industry specific qualifications and invests £20 million each year in support of apprentices and adult learners across a range of skills. From entry level craft and technician programmes through to advanced engineering project management skills. In 2011, 65,000 people were supported through the ECITB’s range of approved programmes delivered by a network of over 200 approved providers. The ECITB strategy is built on three objectives, these are to attract, qualify and develop talented people for the industry. The ECITB operating processes that secure the depth, breadth and quality of service are: employer engagement, identification of skills needs and priorities, stakeholder and provider engagement, delivery and continuous improvement. The ECITB provides support to employers, their employees and apprentices to design, build, maintain and decommission nuclear, power, pharmaceutical, renewables, chemicals, food, water, oil & gas facilities and other processes.
For more information visit www.ecitb.org.uk
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