Leading manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus UK has celebrated the success of its young high-flyers with an awards ceremony at the National Motorcycle Museum in Solihull.
The annual awards ceremony, which is a major date in the MAN Truck & Bus UK corporate calendar, involved more than 200 apprentices and honoured guests, including Sir Geoff and PDC darts player James Wade.
Paul O’Cain, head of UK service with MAN presented the awards, which recognised the trainees who have completed their apprenticeships and rewarded endeavor.
He told the audience: “MAN is extending its family with the new MAN TGE, which was very well received at its launch at IAA in Hanover. Similarly, we are growing our family by investing in our apprentices.
“We have had 43 apprentices complete their training this year and our new intake is a record number for us at 50 through our private capital and wholly owned branches.
“Apprenticeships are important for our future and all our trainees will be developing and extending their skills working across the range of MAN vehicles.”
Sir Geoff, who co-presented the awards, enjoyed a question and answer session with the audience about the legendary 1966 World Cup Final and his role in it, and explained how he started as an apprentice with West Ham, training in the mornings and working as a groundsman in the afternoons.
Guests were able to take on James in a nine-dart challenge and the winner was Joseph Hartmann of R&A Scott Auto Services who scored 237.
Representatives of The Outward Bound Trust and the S&B Training Academy, were also present acknowledging their ongoing commitment to MAN and to the respective Truck Centres and Service Centres within the MAN Network.
S&B has a state-of-the-art CV workshop and training facility in Bristol.
Winners and runners-up
Mechanical First-Year Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Stuart, MAN Swindon
Runner-up: Nathan Bailey, MAN Stockton
Mechanical Second-Year Apprentice of the Year: Harry James, HRVS Leicester
Runner-up: Lewis Coles
Mechanical Third-Year Apprentice of the Year: Dean Carter Pilgrim, Cordwallis Heathrow
Runner-up: Joseph Stevens
Parts Level Two Apprentice of the Year: Nicole Whitaker, HRVS Sheffield
Runner-up: Steven Douglas, MAN Felixstowe
Parts Level Three Apprentice of the Year: Ben Fraser, MAN Bellshill
Runner-up: Thomas Carter, WG Davies Cardiff
Business and Admin Level Two Apprentice of the Year: Jake Smith, MAN Bristol
Runner-up: Suzanne Atkinson, MAN Felixstowe
Business and Admin Level Three Apprentice of the Year: Devan Goodwin, MAN Felixstowe
Runner-up: Katherine Durham, MAN Dunfermline
Most improved
First Year Mechanical: Duncan Bristow, SMV Commercials
Second Year Mechanical: Samuel Bibby, MAN Manchester
Third Year Mechanical: Jack Gowan, MAN Preston
Parts Level Two: Dean Rae, MAN Dunfermline
Parts Level Three: Daniel Hardwick, HRVS Sheffield
Business Admin Level Two: Caitlin Brodley, MAN Broxburn
Business Admin Level Three: Ashleigh Waring, Pelican Engineering
