Peterborough Engineer is UK's Top Technician
Talented engineer Andrew Franklin was named Britain's Technician of the Year at the prestigious Enginuity Skills Awards last night (Thursday March 1).
The 25-year-old from, Peterborough beat off strong competition to win the coveted award, sponsored by EAL, at the Enginuity Skills Awards 2018 gala dinner in London hosted by BBC presenter Steph McGovern.
"It is great to win this award and I hope it will inspire future technicians to apply for apprenticeships," said Andrew. "I have been committed to helping technicians in my company. It is a great career with really good prospects. I would like to thank everyone who has helped me win this, everyone at Perkins and my parents.
Andrew is passionate about his engineering career having joined Perkins Engines Company Ltd in Peterborough from school as a maintenance apprentice. Now in a senior role as a manufacturing engineer he continues to push himself.
He gained a distinction in Electrical and Electronic engineering and is currently working towards a Mechanical and Manufacturing Degree at Derby University before hoping to progress on to a Masters Degree.
In the workplace, Andrew identified a robotics skills shortage and developed a training course to support apprentices and new employees – a move which has saved the company time and money. His work is providing a sustainable and diverse talent pool for the business; safeguarding the necessary skills and knowledge for Technicians of the future. Andrew also put his skills into practice through charitable work at a local engineering museum, Railworld, helping to excavate and restore a historical railway track and train shed entrance, as well as delivering engineering appreciation days to local schools and colleges allowing students to get hands-on experience.
Alison Parkes, Managing Director of EAL, the specialist skills partner and awarding organisation for industry, said: "Andrew is a very deserving winner of the Technician of the Year Award and is an inspirational role model for others who are just starting their engineering careers.
"Andrew's journey from school to becoming a highly successful engineering professional demonstrates the benefits of continuous professional development and the rewards and progression that can be achieved in the industry through hard work and determination".
"If we are to achieve the 800,000 extra engineers we need over the next few years, it is vital we attract more people like Andrew into STEM careers to keep the skills talent pipeline flowing."
The other Technician of the Year finalists were: Ethan Davis from Electroimpact UK Ltd in Hawarden and Rob Naylor, Lockheed Martin UK in Ampthill.
Watch a video of Andrew at the Enginuity Skills Awards:
