Local engineering student, Gavin Clarke and manufacturing engineering company, Terex Powerscreen were announced as finalists at the recent Northern Ireland Vocational Qualification (VQ) Awards held at Parliament Buildings.
Gavin, an engineering student at SWC Dungannon (nominated by the college) was a VQ Learner of the Year finalist and Terex Powerscreen was a finalist in the VQ Employer of the Year category (nominated by SWC and Greiner Packaging).
Having left the construction industry to start an apprenticeship in engineering, Gavin is now in the first year of the UU Foundation Degree in Engineering Management/Manufacturing Engineering and plans to progress to the full Honours Degree programme on a part-time basis, while working as a maintenance engineer at Greiner Packaging.
Terex Powerscreen was acknowledged for their achievement and excellence in championing vocational qualifications. The company works alongside SWC, offering a range of vocational qualifications from level 2 to level 5 in disciplines including engineering, mentoring and management. The company also engages with the college through structured and industry specific apprenticeship programmes to produce a high calibre of skilled employees to boost business performance.