Roxanne Pollard, a mechanical design engineer at Gloucestershire-based engineering company Renishaw, has been awarded the TATA prize, which is given to the highest-achieving part-time student at the University of Wales.

Ms Pollard, who achieved a first-class honours degree in mechanical engineering, joined Renishaw in 2010 as a technical apprentice in mechanical and electronic engineering, completing an HNC and an HND before starting her degree at the University of South Wales while working at Renishaw four days a week.

Throughout her studies, she helped to develop new metal additive-manufacturing (AM) machines.

Ms Pollard said: “When I was at school, I thought university was the way forward. Before starting at Renishaw, I completed my A Levels and even had a place at university, but decided that an apprenticeship would suit me better than university, as I wanted to gain practical experience.

“During my time at Renishaw, I have not only completed a full honours degree but also worked on cutting-edge projects. This has built my confidence and improved my practical skills.”

Chris Pockett, head of communications at Renishaw, said. “There is a misconception that apprenticeships are simply an alternative to university.

“However, around 70% of Renishaw’s apprentices go on to achieve full honours degrees, developing their academic abilities at the same time as gaining practical hands-on experience.”

More information on Renishaw’s apprenticeships can be found at the Web site (www.renishaw.com/en/apprenticeships).