Braden Butler is celebrating his success after receiving a prestigious Engineering Horizons Bursary from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The bursaries are awarded to students and apprentices who are passionate about engineering and have taken up a place on an engineering or technology degree course which has been accredited by the IET or have taken up a place on an apprenticeship scheme which has been approved by the IET.

Only 75 bursaries are given out to engineering students and apprentices across the UK and with the government declaring 2018 to be the Year of Engineering, it makes Braden’s accolade even more impressive. The sponsorship will be £1,000 for up to four years and winners also benefit from mentoring and work experience placements through the IET’s extensive networks.

Braden, who is a former Byrchall High School pupil, is in the first year of his Nuclear Engineering Degree apprenticeship working for National Nuclear Laboratory and has aspirations to become a fully chartered engineer for a nuclear and mechanical institute.

Degree apprenticeships are co-designed by employers ensuring that apprentices are equipped with the skills employers need and boost their employment prospects. They combine university study and workplace learning to enable apprentices to gain a full degree whilst earning a salary and as a degree apprentice, do not pay for training costs.

The talented student is studying at the College’s Centre of Engineering Excellence located at its Pagefield Centre. During the first year he attends College full-time whilst studying towards the Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mechanical Engineering and is on a bespoke programme containing Mechanical, Civil and Electrical & Electronic Engineering disciplines.

After learning of his success, Braden said: “I was surprised but delighted as there are only 75 bursaries available. I intend to use the money to support my education further and this will enable me to buy books and a laptop as well as help with travel costs.”

Head of Engineering at Wigan & Leigh College, Philip Collier, added: “This is an amazing achievement for Braden who is a talented Engineering apprentice. He is a model student who works hard and I’m sure he will have a bright future as an engineer. Wigan & Leigh College work closely with employers to tackle the engineering skills gap and develop the future workforce in key UK engineering sectors including nuclear, chemical, aerospace, telecoms, rail, power, civil and defence.”

Nick Winser, IET President commented: “We hope that the scheme will continue to grow and we will build the number of our bursary winners, who have a passion for engineering and are keen to promote engineering to others.”

The investment is being made in collaboration with Exilarch’s Foundation, The Engineers Trust (Worshipful Company of Engineers), The Manly Trust, Nigel and Ruth Fine, Mr & Mrs Tubbs, National Grid and Siemens.