Worcester firm apprentice wins prestigious award

An apprentice at Yamazaki Mazak has been recognised for his hard work at an awards ceremony.

The company, which has a factory in Worcester, celebrated the success of its apprentices at the Hereford and Worcestershire Group Training Association (HWGTA) graduation ceremony on Tuesday, November 5.

Six Mazak apprentices were shortlisted for an award, with 17-year-old Charlie Cochrane winning the Engineering Endeavour Award.

The fabrication apprentice was recognised for his “exceptional effort, dedication and perseverance” in his first year.

The HWGTA described him as a “pleasure to teach”.

At the same event, Mazak was crowned the Apprentice Employer of the Year.

The judges acknowledged the company’s commitment to providing apprenticeships for more than 24 years, including during the pandemic.

The company’s success at the awards is the first in what Mazak hopes to be an exciting few months for its apprentices.

Erin Lowe, who is currently working as an electrical apprentice in Worcester, has also been nominated for three prizes at the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.

The winners will be announced on Monday, December 9 at the IET London.

Emelia Hughes, who is currently undertaking a mechanical apprenticeship, is among the nominees for Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year at the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards, while Mazak itself has been named as a finalist in the Large Apprentice Provider of the Year category.

The ceremony is due to take place on Thursday, November 28.

Mazak has trained more than 250 UK apprentices across a range of disciplines, including production, service and business administration.

Many have chosen to remain with the business to continue their own professional development while also helping to nurture new talent.

Max Jones, people development manager at the company, said: “Developing the next generation of engineers is one of our core values at Mazak, and our current crop of talent is among the most gifted we have had the privilege of training.

“On behalf of everyone at Mazak, I’d like to congratulate Charlie on his success with the HWGTA, and also wish Erin and Emelia the very best of luck.

“Regardless of the outcome, they are already winners in our eyes.”