17/06/11………High Sheriff?s Award for Lord Williams?s, student

YOUNG college engineering students Samuel Murphy and Antony Shelton are celebrating after winning prestigious Oxfordshire Young Engineer High Sheriff?s Awards 2011. Samuel has been named Oxfordshire Young Engineer of the Year. Antony, from Thame, won the Most Outstanding Progress Award.

The awards recognise the achievements of 14-16 year old students enrolled with Oxford & Cherwell Valley College in either an Engineering Young Apprenticeship or on the new Motorsport Young Apprenticeship course. They were presented by The High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Mrs Penelope Glen, at an evening celebration hosted by Bicester-based engine and machinery supplier E.P. Barrus Ltd, www.barrus.co.uk.

Samuel, from St Gregory the Great School, Cowley and Antony, from Lord Williams?s, Thame are both studying one day a week for engineering qualifications at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College. They headed a strong field of sixty 14-16 year old OCVC engineering students who study either at its Oxford or Bicester campuses.

The High Sheriff said: ?This is the third annual Oxfordshire Young Engineer High Sheriff?s Award, originally the initiative of Mr Richard Dick, a former High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, Oxford & Cherwell Valley College and the Oxfordshire Education Authority. I was delighted to present this year?s award and to support our young engineers of the future who are entering into a profession that has struggled with its appeal in recent years.?

E. P. Barrus Ltd is the leading manufacturer of custom-built engines for the RNLI, the MoD and numerous emergency services organisations. Chairman of E. P. Barrus Ltd, Mr Robert Glen, sais: ?We were proud to host the Oxfordshire Young Engineer High Sheriff?s Award this year. As a company dependent on a continuing high level of engineering skills, it is important that we support and encourage youngsters to take up a career in engineering. Over the years, Barrus has offered work experience placements to many young engineering students with a large proportion going on to join the company on a permanent basis.?

OCVC Head of Engineering, Andy Thomas, says: ?We are responding to an increasingly urgent need for the UK to motivate young people in engineering. We recognise that much has to be done to encourage students to develop skills that are vital to our economic development, and support a vast range of industries including manufacturing, science and the utilities. These awards help us to do that.?