“I’m thrilled to have won the award,” he says. “It was a huge shock and such an amazing feeling when my name was called out. I was up against some really large companies and some extremely talented apprentices, so it shows what I’ve been doing at HydraForce is having a significant impact.”
Millington, who graduated from his advanced engineering apprenticeship this July, a year earlier than expected, won the Birmingham-hosted Regional Advanced Apprenticeship Awards for the Midlands in September, which led him to be shortlisted for the nationals.
“It takes a lot of effort to work while simultaneously attending university, but Daniel doesn’t shy away from these challenges,” says Millington’s manager, Michael Gillbee, manufacturing engineering manager at HydraForce. “He has shown that with the right attitude, commitment and hard work, you can achieve anything”
After completing his apprenticeship, Millington was promoted to the position of engineering technician, and HydraForce sponsored him to undertake an Engineering Foundation Degree. He is now in his second year of studies at Birmingham Metropolitan College, working towards a full honours Degree.
Millington is also an ambassador for young apprentices throughout the Midlands, as part of the West Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (WMAAN), which helps young people to start their careers and mentors the company’s younger apprentices.