A highly-skilled and innovative Degree Apprentice Graduate at UCB (University Courses Burnley) has been shortlisted for one of the UK’s top engineering awards.
Jake Duthie, who earned record-breaking results as he achieved his first-class BEng Hons degree in Mechanical Engineering last summer, has reached the finals of the prestigious SEMTA (the Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) Awards in the Graduate/Degree Apprentice category.
He will travel to London in March to discover if he has been awarded the top title in front of leading names from the engineering industry, Government and the media. From hundreds of entries from across the UK, he has made the final shortlist alongside Degree Apprentices from Rolls-Royce, Airbus and Bridgewater and Taunton College.
Jake, a Project Support Engineer at Pipeline Induction Heat Ltd, Burnley, said:
“It really is an honour to make the finals of this great contest and for my achievements to be recognised at such an early stage of my career.
“I’m passionate about Engineering: it’s a great career in which every day is different and there are always new challenges to face. I’m now taking a Masters Degree in Engineering and aim to become a nationally-recognised expert in my field and influencing the future of the industry.
“I always give 110% in everything I do – whether that’s studying for additional qualifications, considering innovative solutions to problems or giving the very best customer service. That’s been my recipe for success and that’s the advice that I would give anyone planning to start a career in Engineering.
“I’d like to thank my employers, PIH Ltd, my trainers at Themis at Burnley College and my Lecturers at UCB for their support and encouragement in helping me achieve my goals.”
Jake, from Bacup, travels the world in his key role for PIH Ltd, and has worked on major pipeline projects across America, China, Qatar and Singapore. A former student at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, he started his journey to success at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre as an Advanced Vocational Engineering student before progressing to a Themis Apprenticeship where he combined workplace experience with training from industry-expert Tutors and Trainers. He took his skills to the next level through university-level study at UCB, where he completed a HNC and HND before studying for his degree, accredited by the University of Bolton, in which he achieved the highest marks ever recorded.
The SEMTA awards are the latest success for Jake. He received the Exceptional Achievement Award at the 2019 Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards and also the Lancashire Business View Sub 36 Award, the top award at the acclaimed awards ceremony for the most talented young people in Lancashire, held at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.
Neil Burrows, Director of Themis, who also made the finals of the SEMTA awards in 2019 in the Skills Champion category, said:
“Jake is a truly inspirational young Engineer who has achieved so much already in his career and can look forward to an extremely successful career in this exciting, constantly-evolving industry.
“His Trainers describe him as ‘the model Apprentice’ for his attitude, his passion for Engineering and the energy and enthusiasm he brings to every project. He displays all the qualities that set Themis Apprentices apart from the crowd – commitment, motivation, ambition and determination.
“His place in the finals of the SEMTA awards is well deserved and I am confident that he will become a national – if not international – leader in the Engineering industry and be instrumental in ensuring the success of PIH and the very future of the UK’s Engineering sector.”
If, like Jake, you are ambitious and passionate about Engineering, see where a course at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre; an Apprenticeship with Themis at Burnley College or a university-level qualification at UCB can take you. Find out more online at www.burnley.ac.uk; email s.services@burnley.ac.uk or call 01282 733333.
