A rising star of Quinn Glass in Elton has been named Best Apprentice of the Year.
The finest young talent in the glass industry was celebrated as the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers and Looking Glass Makers of London, supported by The Glass Academy at the British Glass Manufacturers’ Confederation, announced the winners of their annual Best Apprentice of the Year Awards.
Presented by Alderman Sir David Wootton, last year’s Lord Mayor of the City of London, at the Glass Sellers Mansion House banquet, the awards recognise those apprentices who have demonstrated exceptional ability and commitment to their training and skills development, as well as the significant impact apprentices make to their employer’s business development and growth.
The three finalists were invited to the event along with representatives from their respective companies.
Mike Crotty from Quinn Glass in Elton was named as Best Apprentice of the Year 2013-2014 with Reuben Allonby from Cumbria Crystal and Nathan Herring from Saint-Gobain Glass also recognised as highly commended runners-up by the judging panel.
All three received trophies and Mike Crotty was awarded a £1,000 travel bursary to allow him to visit some overseas glass factories to help broaden his glass knowledge.
Mike joined Quinn Glass as an apprentice maintenance engineer in 2010 and was nominated due to his significant achievements at Quinn Glass and the dedication he has shown throughout his apprenticeship programme.
He has demonstrated natural leadership qualities – working as a mentor for younger apprentices and has succeeded in solving several engineering issues which had stymied other experienced engineers.
Professor John Whiteman, chairman of the trustees of the Glass Sellers Charity, said: “The judging panel was impressed by the quality of all of the shortlisted apprentices – there were some fantastic examples of young people who have a real desire to succeed and who will become the future leaders of the glass industry in the UK. “Mike in particular has grasped the opportunity with both hands and impressed his colleagues with his ambition to succeed.”
Mike Crotty said: “I’m delighted to have won this award and I hope to be a great ambassador for the UK glass industry over the next year.
“I am keen to champion apprenticeships to young people as my experience has been very rewarding and has allowed me to develop workplace skills along with continuing my education and earning a wage.
“Once I finish my apprenticeship next year I hope to go on to gain a degree in mechanical/electrical engineering and to keep on developing my skills, knowledge and confidence whilst working at Quinn Glass.”
