The hard work of first and second year students on the engineering and manufacturing apprenticeship (EMA) course was recognised at the Annual Apprentice Awards.

The presentation took place at University College Isle of Man’s Hills Meadow site.

The following awards were made: First year best bench fitter: Fred Buxton; first year best manual milling machine pperator: Tom Kinrade; first year best manual lathe operator: Tom Kinrade; first year best overall student: Fred Buxton; Second year best overall student: Matthew Molesworth.

The winners received £100 for each of the awards, which were sponsored by Ronaldsway RLC, Swagelok, Target Tools and Strix.

John Cashin, tutor for the foundation apprenticeship in engineering course, said the students have risen to the practical and academic challenges and developed their skills to meet the requirements of the awarding bodies and the manufacturing sector.

He added: ’We will continue to change and adapt to new challenges industry faces and grow and develop the EMA course syllabus to suit these needs into the future.

’It’s a partnership that’s working very well and a credit to the students and staff, a real positive asset to the island and business community.’