Emerging aerospace talent honoured at New Talent Awards

The North West Aerospace Alliance (NWAA) recognised the achievements of young apprentices and trainees from the North West of England’s aerospace and defence industry at the New Talent Awards last night.

The ceremony, held at the Imperial War Museum North, Manchester, saw young people working or studying in the North West Aerospace industry along with employers, training provider’s and mentors enjoy a three course dinner and speeches from the 2016 Winning Business University Challenge Team Member Jess Daly, MBDA Missile Systems and Chris Hebert, aerospace engineering director – aerodynamics, d2h Aero who provide engineering services to multinational companies around the world in the motorsport and automotive sectors.

This year, following fierce competition and entries from organisations across the North West and Isle of Man, saw the overall winner of the award of North West’s Best Aerospace & Defence Apprentice, along with the £1000 prize kindly sponsored by recruitment consultants Ideal Recruit going to Lucas Benson from BAE Systems.

Following their introduction last year to acknowledge that apprenticeships are evolving by enabling apprentices to not only achieve a level 3 standard, but now support training up to Masters and PHD level, the winners for Aerospace Engineering Technician and Aerospace Engineer sponsored by the IET (Institute of Engineering and Technology) which included a cheque for £300 each, were Will Fallows, Paradigm Precision and Matthew Eccles, MBDA Missile Systems respectively.

This year, Nabeela Desai from Paradigm Precision carried off the “One to Watch” trophy, sponsored by Preston’s College, this award is presented at the discretion of the judging panel, to an individual showing a great deal of potential and a promising future in the aerospace industry.

The NWAA apprentice awards become more and more competitive every year. This year the apprentice awards judges felt the need to award a second “One to Watch” trophy.sponsored by Themis, Burnley College, This went to Ryan Naylor from MBDA Missile Systems.