Engineer wins apprentice of year award
ATALENTED apprentice has claimed a national award and cash prize for her achievements.
Design engineer Daisy Coombes was named Bryan Hildrew Apprentice of the Year by the prestigious Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
The former Fallibroome Academy pupil said: “It was a great honour to receive the award and definitely the highlight of my career so far. I have always aimed to make opportunities for myself and JCB has given me the chance to pursue a lot of amazing avenues.
“I represent JCB as an ambassador for STEM subjects and often return to give careers talks at my old school. I was also chosen to take part in the Government’s national ‘Get In Go Far’ media campaign to promote apprenticeships and went to The House of Commons to discuss my experience of apprenticeships with MPs and Government ministers.
“Last year I was also chosen to co-host the National Apprenticeship Awards. It was really daunting presenting in front of a massive audience but it was a brilliant experience.”
As well as the award Daisy, who lives on Hollin Lane in Sutton, was handed £1,500 at the ceremony in London and says she will use the money to help those less fortunate than herself in other countries.
The 21-year-old added: “I want to give young people in Third World countries an opportunity to experience engineering, so I’m using the money to work with ImechE to develop a box to help young people in developing countries learn engineering skills that can be used in their daily lives.
The young role model joined JCB’s apprentice programme in 2014 after taking A Levels in physics, maths and product design.
Daisy is now a design engineer for Staffordshire-based JCB Compact Products which manufactures mini and midi excavators.
She added: “When I joined JCB four of the 11 people in our cohort were girls. Engineering is a great career for women, and for me, the apprenticeship route has opened up so many opportunities that I’d definitely recommend it as an alternative to university.”
Simon Wood, JCB learning and development spokesman, said: “Daisy is already a great engineer, she works very hard on her courses and she is also a great advocate for apprentices in general.”