Yamazaki Mazak apprentice is prize winner

Having decided to put her two A-levels and 10 GCSEs to good use, Rachel Murdoch joined Worcester-based Yamazaki Mazak in 2007, at the age of 18, as an Advanced Apprentice. Her first year’s training with Worcestershire Group Training Association (WGTA) has led to her receiving the award, and vouchers for £100, for ‘The best progress shown by a first year apprentice’, sponsored by Buck & Hickman. In making the award the judges noted that throughout her first year Rachel grew in confidence, with her work being produced to a very high standard that was maintained throughout the year. Not resting on her laurels, Rachel was also a finalist in the Engineering Employers Federation 2008 West Midlands Engineering Apprentice of the Year Awards, for which she received a cheque for £250. Rachel’s success is set to continue as she targets the completion of her BTEC National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering and her level 3 NVQ. On completion of that she hopes to take up a role as either a design or service engineer with the Worcester-based machine tool manufacturer. Rachel’s training success was complemented by a further award to Grant Campbell. Grant, who has recently completed his apprenticeship at Mazak, now works in the Assembly Department. He was awarded a cheque for £75 by the WGTA as part of his prize for ‘best overall apprentice who has successfully completed their training’. Again, the judges highlighted Grant’s work ethic, stating that he had worked consistently to achieve his advanced apprenticeship in engineering. He has developed into a highly competent engineer. A spokesman for the WGTA said: “Grant's hard work and self motivated commitment to complete his apprenticeship is an inspiration to not only the other apprentices at Mazak, but also to all WGTA learners.”