A WING-MAKING apprentice from Trefnant has been awarded the engineering apprentice of the year at a national industry event.

21-one-year-old Carwyn Roberts, a CNC machining apprentice at Airbus Broughton, was presented the Engineering Apprentice Final Year Award at the Make UK Wales virtual ceremony last week.

The award is given to apprentices who have seized training and development opportunities during the final year of apprenticeship and made a significant contribution to their employer.

“It is a great honour and was quite a shock,” the former Ysgol Glan Clwyd Pupil said. “I look forward to completing my apprenticeship with Airbus and hope to go on to have a career in the aerospace sector."

Judges said: “Carwyn completed his NVQ in record time which is due to his drive and determination to advance within the sector. We’re keen to keep an eye on Carwyn and can see him being an aerospace business leader in the not so distant future.”

Janis Richards, region director for Make UK in Wales, added: “These awards are a testament to the dynamic companies and individuals working within engineering and manufacturing.

“The sector has been at the heart of delivering during the crisis and, as we rebuild our economy, there will be a bright future for companies and individuals that make the most of their talent.”

Mr Roberts will now go forward to the national finals to compete against other regional winners across the UK.

Emily Merrison, head of education partnership at Airbus, said: “Carwyn is an absolute star and fully deserving of this award. His work ethic is second to none and we are so pleased his dedication and extracurricular activity in promoting STEM to young people has been recognised.”

Cambria Engineering lecturer and WorldSkills UK Training Manager Adam Youens congratulated him on his success, adding: “I have mentored Carwyn in CNC Milling over the last couple of years and have always been impressed by his ability, attitude and hard work. He thoroughly deserves this prize and is always willing to go the extra mile in learning new skills as an engineer.”

Dr James Davies, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, said: “It is always great to hear of young people in the Vale of Clwyd succeeding and I congratulate Carwyn on this magnificent achievement.”