The Bournemouth & Poole College has secured its third award at a national contest held as part of the prestigious British Marine Electrical and Electronics Association Apprentice Awards.
Organised by the British Marine Electrical and Electronics Association (BMEEA), the competition is designed to recognise the very best of young British talent in the Marine Electrical sector.
Jamie Ballam and Harry Butterfield, both apprentices at RNLI saw off tough competition from seven other teams to impress with their design and production of a circuit to raise and lower a swim platform using digital switching and timers. The challenge had to be completed in two hours.
Richard Broden-Cowell, tutor in Marine Electrical Engineering said: “Jamie and Harry are a real credit to the course and their employer. The determination and passion they showed during the competition was outstanding. To go on and win against such competitive teams really demonstrates their strengths in marine electrical engineering.”
Jamie said: “as well as a trophy and certificate, we both received a £100 tool voucher for winning the competition. It’s meant that I’ve been able to purchase cable shears, screwdrivers and a new tool bag.”
Harry said: “As part of the competition we also got to attend the annual BMEEA conference. It was a great insight into the rapidly advancing technology that is being used in the marine industry.
“The competition was much more challenging than expected, however after a bit of thought and planning, we figured out what we had to do, and went on to win.”
With the awards which have run three times since 2014, a team from the college has secured the top prize at every competition. In 2014 George Wooliss and Alex Spencer from Sunseeker International won with their efforts on building a two-way electrical lighting circuit to operate two lights, but using three switches and in 2015 Will Hicks and Ashley Cobb also from Sunseeker International impressed with a motor switching, latching and stopping challenge.
Richard said: “to win this competition for a third time reinforces the capability of the students we train here at the college. Utilising our purpose built marine technology facilities, students are able to develop their specialist skills and work with state-of-the-art equipment to gain a practical understanding of the industry. Skills that they are able to take directly into the workplace.
