Perkins apprentice celebrates success at national manufacturing awards

An apprentice at Perkins’ Peterborough facility has been hailed as one of the top performers in the UK after scooping a major prize at the first-ever national EEF Future Manufacturing awards.

Anton Barrick, 21, was named winner of the Final Year Apprentice category in recognition of his unparalleled enthusiasm for engineering and his commitment to continuous improvement.

“I’ve wanted to be an engineer since I was a child,” said Anton. “I plan to progress through the part time academic route through college to university and to achieve a degree that’s recognised by the IMechE. Then I’ll work to become a fully chartered engineer.”

Phil Oldfield, Perkins’ apprentice coordinator, stated: “I am really pleased for Anton to have been awarded this prestigious accolade; it truly reflects his skill and determination to succeed as an engineer. He is a credit to himself, the company, his team leaders and all of the tutors and staff at Peterborough Regional College that have contributed to his apprenticeship and career learning to date.”

Anton completed his BTEC National and an NVQ Level 3 in Engineering Maintenance at Peterborough Regional College and has gone on to study his HNC in Engineering at the college.

Apprenticeship manager at Peterborough Regional College, Sue Forsythe, said “The college is overjoyed with Anton’s achievement in both the regional and national awards and wish him every success in his future studies and career.”

”Whilst at college Anton completed his Advanced Apprenticeship a year early and this was due to his commitment and determination. He has got an amazing thirst for knowledge and we know he will go far in his chosen career.” 

Chair of the EEF judging panel, Prof Stephen Evans, who declared Anton as the national winner, stated: “We were won over by Anton’s enthusiasm, ingenuity, problem solving ability and his thirst for improving efficiency. And, quite simply, by the pleasure he takes in his work!”

While David Seall, South East Region director for EEF, added: “Anton is a credit to his company and a great role model for young people embarking on a career in industry.”

PICTURE: Perkins’ Anton Barrick (centre) receives his outstanding achievement by a final year apprentice award from sponsor Allison Riley of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and Declan Curry, presenter of BBC Two’s Working Lunch.