Birmingham engineer takes top prize

A budding engineer from Birmingham has secured the main prize at this year’s In-Comm Training Awards after helping his firm secure a game-changing contract.

Adam Burgoyne, who is a new product engineer at metal pressings and stamping specialist Brandauer, was named as the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year after earlier picking up the title of Learner of the Year for Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies.

The double-haul marks the 21-year-old’s impressive development and his role in helping to identify the measurement equipment required to secure the company’s first ever pharma contract for the Middle East - a project that could be worth in excess of £1m annually.

He was joined on stage by his colleague James Arnold, who impressed judges with his maturity and determination to drive sales at sister business CB Cable Clips to take the Learner of the Year - Business Support Award.

Employer of the Year was won by Black Country’s Fablink UK, a specialist manufacturer of metal pressings, operator cab assemblies, fuel and hydraulic tanks and complex structures.

Bekki Phillips, joint managing director at In-Comm Training, said: “There has been a lot of negativity surrounding apprenticeships this year, with the national media quick to put the proverbial boot into the Levy and how it is failing employers across the UK.

“Talk of the number of ‘starts’ being down and large businesses turning their back on vocational training have dominated the headlines, but that’s only part of the story and we now have the opportunity to tell the other half.

“The annual In-Comm Training Awards provides a fantastic platform to even the playing field and inform people about the amazing things that are happening in the West Midlands and highlight the companies that deliver anything from outstanding professional services advice to those making components that help drive the latest aircraft, cars and medical innovations.

“We recognised and celebrated the best of the region’s vocational talent… the stars of business and industry and, more than likely, the business leaders of the future that are helping their employers work smarter, launch new products and services and, importantly, increase sales.”

Other winners at the In-Comm Awards 2019 included: Learner of the Year – Management & Leadership: Adam Strong (Top Tubes); Learner of the Year – Continuous Improvement: Jade Higgins (FBC Manby Bowdler); Learner of the Year AMTC (MCMT): Tyler Cadwallader (Bridgnorth Aluminium); Apprentice Ambassador of the Year – David Latham (Liberty Pressings); and Most Improved Learner – Ryan Lenton-Kane (IMI Precision Engineering).

Headline sponsor for the event was the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), one of the UK’s leading machine tools suppliers, and over 300 people attended theawards, held for the second time at the ICC in Birmingham.

Guests were given an insight into the latest developments at In-Comm Training, before being entertained by West Midlands historian Professor Carl Chinn.

Sponsors for the evening included Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills, FBC Manby Bowdler, In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group, Made in the Midlands, MTD CNC, MyWorkwear, Rational FX and Wieland.

Pictured: Back, from left, Clare Hennessy, Glyn Dickens (both Fablink), and Jade Higgins (FBC Manby Bowdler). Front, from left, James Arnold, Adam Burgoyne (both Brandauer), and Adam Strong (Top Tubes)