A Coventry apprentice has been given the Royal seal of approval, as he embarks on a career in engineering.

Luke Collins is a degree apprentice with Coventry-based Sarginsons Industries (www.sarginsons.com), a lightweighting specialist that makes aluminium components for a range of sectors, including automotive.

The 19-year-old joined the company earlier this year after completing four years of study at the WMG Academy and is one of three degree apprentices to be employed by Sarginsons.

Just a few weeks into his working life, he headed to St James’s Palace to pick up his Duke of York Award, which recognises excellence in technical study.

He was handed his award by the Duke of York in recognition of a series of presentations that he gave to industry during his studies at Warwick University.

One of those presentations was to his now employer, Sarginsons, and it helped to land him the role with the company.

Luke said: “It was a great feeling to receive the award, but it was made even more special by getting to receive it in such an amazing place.

“I was inspired to take up engineering by my grandfather. The route I have taken means that I will end up with a Mechanical Engineering degree through Coventry University — something I never thought was possible.”