Shivan Morkar, a CNC machinist at William Cook Rail in Leeds, was named ‘Apprentice of the Year 2019’ at the recent Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Training Centre’s annual awards ceremony (www.amrc.co.uk).

This event, supported by Siemens, was held at the University of Sheffield’s Firth Court Hall at the beginning of March.

As part of his prize, Shivan will travel to Germany for a special visit to Siemens’ award-winning Industry 4.0 Smart Factory in Amberg.

Nominations for the annual awards are made by employers and trainers to recognise the achievements or contributions of apprentices; they are judged by a panel of AMRC Training Centre staff and award sponsors.

This year, the judges said they were overwhelmed by Shivan’s enthusiasm and passion for industry, plus his positive impact on his work-place.

On accepting the award, Shivan, who is in the first year of his degree apprenticeship, said that it was ‘a great feeling’ to know his hard work has brought him such recognition.

Keith Ridgway, executive dean of the AMRC, said: “The pride we feel in what our apprentices have achieved — and how much further they can go with the knowledge and skills they have acquired – is what inspires and motivates us to do more.

“The success of the AMRC Training Centre is a collaborative effort, involving industry partners, government and a civic university publicly committed to expanding alternative learning pathways, widening access and deepening participation among groups of people who might otherwise be left behind.”