Ryan Harris, a fourth-year manufacturing apprentice at global engineering technologies company Renishaw, has been shortlisted for the Tomorrow’s Talent category of the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2021 which are funded by the Welsh government with backing from the European Social Fund to help support the development of skills in the Welsh economy. The virtual award ceremony will take place on 29 April.

Ryan, a manufacturing apprentice, who is studying for an HNC qualification at Bridgend College, was nominated for the award in recognition of his personal progress and positive impact on Renishaw’s operation in South Wales.

He started his career at Renishaw’s Miskin site in 2018 as a second-year apprentice while finishing BTEC Level 3 studies at Coleg Y Cymoedd and has worked on a variety of projects including designing a more-efficient Z axis test for additive manufacturing (AM) machines. Ryan has also spent a few weeks in Germany learning about different techniques used in heavy machinery.

Ryan said: “Being nominated for the award recognises the time and effort my colleagues have put in to train me as a future process development engineer. Renishaw has also provided me with the opportunity to focus on further education and gain industry knowledge, without the struggle of balancing the two.

“My colleagues have supported me during every step of my apprenticeship and further education studies by sharing their knowledge and experience, which I have applied to my role at Renishaw and also on college projects.”

Simon Biggs, education outreach officer at Renishaw, said: “Ryan’s hard work and commitment over the past four years has been remarkable. His work ethic, attitude and determination to succeed as a Renishaw apprentice has been truly impressive and he will make a brilliant process development engineer. His work colleagues put trust in his judgement and regularly comment on his mature approach to engineering tasks.”

Ryan added: “I initially got into engineering after my uncle told me about his career as an engineer. My school ran an engineering GCSE course and this gave me the opportunity to attend an Open Day at Renishaw’s Miskin manufacturing site. After seeing the equipment and meeting some of the employees, I knew I had to apply join its manufacturing apprenticeship programme.”

Renishaw currently has around 200 apprentices in the UK, and is recruiting a further 51 apprentices for the summer 2021 intake. The company offers a range of award-winning apprenticeship programmes in engineering, manufacturing, software, IT and embedded electronics engineering.

An apprenticeship at Renishaw is seen as an excellent opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’, and degree-level apprentices are able to obtain their university qualifications without accruing student debt. Further benefits include a competitive salary and an extensive benefits package, with on-site gyms, medical insurance and pension.

Further details on apprenticeship opportunities at Renishaw can be found on the website (www.renishaw.com/apprentice).