IET: New award to mark National Apprenticeship Week
To coincide with Apprenticeship Week 2013, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has launched a high-profile Apprentice of the Year Award.
The prize will consist of £1,000 in cash, free IET membership for two years and Engineering Technician (EngTech) or ICT Technician (ICTTech) professional registration assessment fees.
Chair of the Awards and Prizes Committee of the IET, Suzanne Flynn, said: “As National Apprentice Week celebrates how vital apprentices are to the UK workforce, the IET would also like to show our appreciation by introducing this new award.
“The criteria for the award are high, as we want to recognise those apprentices who are outstanding representatives of the engineering profession.”
Designed to recognise the importance of apprentices to the engineering and technology community, and society at large, the new award will be made annually to an outstanding individual or team working on an IET approved apprenticeship scheme.
This new award is complemented by a wide range of other work done by the IET to support and champion apprentices. The IET currently has 2,147 apprentice members and works with over 60 approved apprenticeship providers, including Bentley, E.ON, Network Rail and Unilever.
The IET works with companies to discuss and approve the delivery of engineering apprenticeships, share best practice and promote all the services of the IET to apprentices and technicians.
The IET Apprentice Signature programme, due to be launched in July 2013, aims to guide apprentices through their course, offering them knowledge, support and networking opportunities along the way. Specifically tailored for apprentices, this special offering will act as an introduction to their professional home for life at the IET.
Education Policy Advisor at the IET, Stephanie Fernandes, said: “At the IET we are committed to helping young engineers and technicians develop their careers and work towards professional registration, whether they are doing degrees or apprenticeships.
“Rebalancing the UK's economy will require qualified, skilled engineers and technicians at all levels. Properly accredited and approved apprenticeships provide a high-quality alternative to traditional academic routes for our future workforce.”
Ends
Notes to editors
Applications for the first IET Apprentice of the Year Award close on 31 May 2013. You can find out more about the award on the IET website.
There are also dedicated areas of the IET website for both apprentices and technicians.
Interview opportunities are available with IET spokespersons.
The IET is Europe’s largest professional body of engineers with over 150,000 members in 127 countries.
For more information, visit www.theiet.org.
Follow the IET on Twitter.
Katie Stanton
Communications Executive
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
T: +44 (0)1438 765608
M: +44 (0)7738 713867
