[A] budding engineer who is already working on high profile nuclear projects has won a coveted award from his employers.
Brandon Corrie, 19, from Hawcoat in Barrow, is this year’s winner of Wood’s Cumbria Apprentice Programme Special Achievement Award.
Brandon, a third-year electrical engineering design apprentice, said: “The apprenticeship has helped me to progress quickly because you get to work on interesting, complex projects alongside senior people. When I left school at 16 I wanted to work on practical things so this is perfect for me.”
The award was presented by Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, who said: “It’s great to see how Brandon has benefited from Wood’s excellent apprenticeship scheme and has become a high achiever in an exciting industry. I hope this recognition will encourage other young people to follow in his footsteps.”
Brandon, a former pupil at St Bernard’s Catholic High School who is working towards a foundation degree at GEN2 as part of his training, has impressed managers with his attitude, enthusiasm and capability, including proficiency in the use of specialist calculation software.
His line manager, Rob Firby, said: “Brandon has always shown willingness to assist with any task asked of him. He is performing at a higher level than would be expected for his experience and has produced some highly commended work.”
Based at Westlakes, near Whitehaven, Brandon is part of a Wood team that works on major projects at the UK’s most complex nuclear sites, including Sellafield, Dounreay and Capenhurst.
Paul Fletcher, Wood’s Sellafield director, said: “We provide high quality apprentice training for young people in Cumbria, helping them to secure skilled, high-value jobs in the nuclear workforce of the future.”
Peter Stalker, vice president for capital projects, said: “We’re fortunate that our apprenticeship programme attracts so many bright, motivated young people like Brandon.”
