New accolade for AMRC Training Centre Apprentice of the Year Russell
A seventeen year old apprentice from Sheffield-based automotive tools specialist Eldon Tools has won a new accolade for his achievements.
Russell Fox, from Atherton Road, Arbourthorne, Sheffield has been named Made in Sheffield Apprentice of the Year.
Russell was one of two AMRC Training Centre apprentices to reach the Made in Sheffield shortlist, the other being Amy Flannery, from Cooper & Turner.
His success comes a month after he was named the AMRC Training Centres Boeing Apprentice of the Year and also won the Barnsley College-sponsored Academic Achiever of the Year Award at the inaugural Apprentice Awards staged by the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.
Russells earlier success in the AMRC Training Centre Awards won him the trip of a lifetime to Boeings headquarters in Seattle, to see the aerospace giants new Dreamliner being made.
Russells employers, Eldon, have praised his commitment, attitude towards his apprenticeship and his work ethic, while AMRC Training Centre trainers have described him as A hardworking, conscientious and success-focused apprentice.
Tracy Williams from Eldon Tools, said: Russell has got such an interest in what we do as a business. When he goes out with other people to test our tools and gets under the bonnet of a car, he knows exactly what hes looking at and how it works, which is such a bonus.
Hes a real enthusiast about everything he does. He throws himself into every challenge. Hes a super guy.
Russell got a taste for engineering at an early age and had already got a portfolio of work to present when he joined Eldon, including completely rebuilding a classic car with his fathers help.
Hes also gone over and above what might be expected of an apprentice, playing a key part in the design, manufacturing and testing of a special Land Rover Discovery ball joint tool, for which he made nine of the 17 components from scratch.
Russell, who applied for an apprenticeship after completing GCSEs because further classroom based learning didnt appeal to him, said: Winning the Boeing Apprentice of the Year Award was a surprise. Getting a second award was fantastic.
Im really enjoying my apprenticeship. Every day is a new learning curve. Its very rewarding.
AMRC Training Centre Director of Training, Alison Bettac, said: We are delighted for Russell and for Amy.
Their success highlights the hard work our apprentices and their trainers - put in, their enthusiasm for engineering and their determination to achieve. As a result we are now looking at new ways of gaining recognition for apprentices and their employers which will also encourage other young people to gain the skills that will secure them a future in advanced manufacturing.
Picture Caption: Apprentice Russell Fox, pictured at the AMRC Training Centre Awards
About The AMRC Training Centre
The University of Sheffield's pioneering apprenticeship training centre was established to provide the next generation of world leading engineers.
The ground breaking 5,500 sq m centre was built with support from the Regional Growth Fund and European Regional Development Fund and is based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park, within the Sheffield and Rotherham Enterprise Zone, close to the AMRC with Boeing and Nuclear AMRC.
It aims to create knowledge and manufacturing breakthroughs by equipping highly skilled workers who will go on to regenerate the UKs manufacturing industry.
The Centre opened its doors for the first class of 150 advanced apprentices in January. Numbers have since risen to more than 400, including second year apprentices who spend one day a week at the Centre.
Apprentices, aged from 16, come from a wide range of manufacturers with operations in the Sheffield city region, including Tata Steel, Rolls-Royce, Sheffield Forgemasters, AESSEAL, MTL Group and Newburgh Engineering, in addition to the AMRC group itself.
The Centre has links with both Sheffield universities, enabling apprentices to go on to study for higher-level qualifications up to doctorate and MBA level, and offers a range of courses for continuing professional development.