A budding young engineer has been recognised for his achievements by winning the prestigious student of the year award at the Rotherham College of Arts and Technology.
Jonathan Cheeseman, 21, a machining apprentice at Sheffield heavy engineers DavyMarkham, took home the prize following high recommendations from his lecturers for his contribution to his BTEC national diploma in manufacturing.
Currently in his second year, Jonathan is already flying high, set to complete his apprenticeship which usually lasts for three years when he finishes his NVQ level three in machining techniques.
Jonathan, from Rawmarsh in Rotherham, said: “I thoroughly enjoy working at DavyMarkham and have really developed my skills during my time here. It’s great to receive recognition, but at the moment I’m just focused on finishing my apprenticeship, and making the next step in my career.”
Jonathan is currently planning a trip to Canada after also winning £500 in the prestigious Cutlers Company Joint Educational Awards back in April. He will spend one week completing work experience with a number of mining companies supplied by DavyMarkham across Canada, the world’s largest exporter of minerals and metals.
Peter Kerfoot, apprentice training manager at DavyMarkham, said: “Jonathan is an exceptional apprentice who has done amazingly well and everyone here is very proud of him. He takes great pride in his work and has developed a passion for the industry.
“We get huge interest in our apprenticeships and the calibre of applications is rising all the time. We are always delighted and proud when our apprentices are recognised for the superb work they do.”
Revived in 2007, DavyMarkham’s current apprentice training programme has gone from strength to strength, with 15 apprentices currently in training. The programme not only provides multi-disipline skills for the apprentices but also ensures the company’s future giving employees an opportunity to pass on their unique skills.