Metals Industry award win for Sheffield Forgemasters' Dan

Sheffield Forgemasters engineer Dan Millington is celebrating after being judged best in class in the prestigious Metals Industry Apprentice of the Year awards.

Dan, who is no stranger to awards having been named apprentice of the year by his employers in 2013, picked up his latest honour at the Court Dinner at Painter-Stainers Hall in Little Trinity Lane, London.

The 23-year-old, who lives in the Swinton area of Rotherham, was supported by Semta Apprenticeship Service in his role as an apprentice NDT service engineer. He completed his apprenticeship last summer and is now a Work Rolls Metallurgical Technician.

As well as working at Sheffield Forgemasters, Dan is currently studying for a degree in Materials Engineering at Sheffield's Hallam University.

The Metal Industry Awards, run by Semta and funded by The Worshipful Institute of Tinplate Workers Alias Wire Workers, recognise career development and skills in the workplace.

Dan has become his department's Lean Leader identifying a number of cost-saving and efficiency initiatives to benefit the company and he is a mentor to younger apprentices.

He said: "This is a great achievement for me as it acknowledges all the hard work that I have been putting in over the last four and half years at Forgemasters.

"Semta has been great with me and has supported me through the early parts of my career, putting me in touch with Forgemasters and organising my initial training that has put me on the right path to move forward.

"I feel that I bring a positive approach to work and I am keen to learn. Using the skills I have learned, I am trusted to represent the company while visiting customers to resolve issues they may have in the UK and abroad.

"In the future I hope to complete my degree and take on more responsibility. The long term goal is to succeed my manager and become the Technical Manager for the department. I feel this is realistic if I continue to work hard both at work and in my studies."

Judges were impressed not only with his skills in the workplace, but also by the fact he has organised several fundraising charity events within Forgemasters.

Karen Evans, Head of SAS said: "It is fantastic award for Dan and for his employers Sheffield Forgemasters to be recognised this way – they are excellent ambassadors and show how apprenticeships benefit both the individual and the employer."