News: Tata Steel trainee in line for apprentice of the year award

An employee at Tata Steel in Rotherham has been named as the winner of the EEF "First Year Apprentice of the Year" award at this year's Northern final.

The EEF Future Manufacturing Awards aim to highlight the resilience, determination and ingenuity of the UK's manufacturing community. Categories include the Business Growth Award, the Skills and Training Award, and the Innovative Operating Practices Award.

Rush Garfitt, a technical metallurgy apprentice at Tata Steel's Rotherham site, picked up the award at the presentation evening last month.

He has now been entered into the national finals and will attend the awards presentation in London in January.

Rush said: "To be named as the winner of the First Year Apprentice of the Year Award for the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside region is such a great achievement and it feels fantastic to win the award.

"It has made me feel like all my hard work is being recognised and I am determined to maintain my progress.

"It is an honour to have got this far and I am looking forward to attending the national awards in London next year."

Mick Hood, HR director for Tata Steels speciality steels business, added: "It is a testament to Rush’s hard work and diligence that he has been recognised for his work.

"This is a national competition, with entries from some of the best apprentices and young manufacturers in the country.

"It is already a terrific achievement to get as far as he has and we wish him the very best of luck at the finals in January."

Rush, alongside another Tata Steel employee, was also recognised at this year's Manufacturer Magazine Awards. He and Thomas Woods, an NDT technician at the site, were both nominated for the "Manufacturer of the Year" award at this year's award ceremony. Although they did not win the award, they were both highly commended.

Tata Steel website

Images: Tata Steel