Introducing the Best Apprentice Award Winner
The Founders’ Company is a proud sponsor of the Best Apprentice Award, administered by The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers, ICME, and this year the winner was Ronnie Pratt.
Ronnie Pratt, centre, from Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery, being presented with his certificate and prize by Master Alan Hughes and ICME National President (left) Andrew Laing.
Ronnie joined Omega Sinto Foundry Machinery Ltd in Peterborough as an apprentice aged 16. With good grades from school he wanted to pursue a more practical career and, deciding sixth form wasn’t for him, he started at the company having been attracted by their well-equipped workshop and the opportunity to be in an engineering environment.
That decision has paid off with Ronnie recently being appointed the youngest bay leader for the company, able to work independently and lead projects whilst also being able to complete his BTEC in Engineering and learn to use CAD software at college, as well as develop all the skills required to build foundry equipment.
Omega designs and fabricates sand and mould handling equipment for the global foundry industry and is a leader in sand reclamation equipment, enabling foundries to re-use their foundry moulding sand, over and over again increasing material efficiency and sustainability, whilst maintaining casting quality. With excellent support from his mentors and the company management, Ronnie particularly enjoys working as part of a team, practical problem-solving and wants to focus on engineering maintenance as his career progresses. He is soon to complete his apprenticeship and is already working on a number of exciting projects for the company and is positive about his future. It is clear his future is bright.
After a convivial lunch for ICME Awardees and Fellows, held at the British Motor Museum near Gaydon in Warwickshire, Master Alan Hughes presented Ronnie with his certificate and cheque, alongside ICME President Andrew Laing.
Author: Dr Pamela Murrell, Chair of the Founders’ Industry Committee