The award was launched by the Institution to celebrate the achievements of its Apprentice Affiliate members and to recognise the contribution they make to the engineering sector, industry and the wider economy.
A runner-up in the 2014 National Apprentice Awards, Swain was delighted to be recognised by the Institution through the award and completed his Advanced Apprenticeship with Delphi Diesel Systems in Sudbury, Suffolk.
The award was launched by the Institution to celebrate the achievements of its Apprentice Affiliate members and to recognise the contribution they make to the engineering sector, industry and the wider economy.
A runner-up in the 2014 National Apprentice Awards, Daniel was delighted to be recognised by the Institution through the award and completed his Advanced Apprenticeship with Delphi Diesel Systems in Sudbury, Suffolk.
“It is an honour to be named Apprentice of the Year,” he said. “I believe the main reason for my success is a passion for engineering, which has grown exponentially since starting my apprenticeship.”
Announcing Swain as the winner, the judges commented that, “Daniel operates at a high level both in and outside his work environment” and has a “remarkable breadth of capability, application and interests”.
As chair of the Delphi Apprentice Association, Dan has spearheaded development of an open-day programme to demonstrate the benefits of an apprenticeship at Delphi to visiting school children.
“Promoting apprenticeships has been particularly fulfilling,” he explained. “I have seen intelligent young people open up to the idea, as I did, when their opportunities and benefits are highlighted over traditional university routes.”
Swain has demonstrated high levels of innovation, competency and leadership, as well as impressive career progression and personal development.
He was invited to work in an analytical placement role in Poland, extending his communication skills and gaining knowledge of different manufacturing environments, along with vital leadership experience. This enabled him to successfully develop and implement a cost-saving rework system, which to date has resulted in savings of over £200,000.
His commitments to ambassadorship, charity fundraising, and mentoring are significant, which can be challenging alongside his ambitious career targets.
He said: “In the next three-to-five years I hope to fund the start of my Lean Six-Sigma training, beginning my journey to achieving ‘Black-Belt’ status. I also aim to complete a Masters’ Degree and become a Chartered Engineer, while continuing to promote engineering apprenticeships through both Delphi and the Young Apprentice Ambassador’s Network.”
Roy Engle, Delphi Training Supervisor, recognised Swain’s talent in 2012, when he won Delphi Apprentice of the Year in his first year of training with the company.
Roy commented: “Dan has impressed senior management, colleagues and school children alike. His passion for engineering has changed people’s perceptions of apprenticeships, helping them to make a more objective career choice.
"He balances a professional approach whilst exhibiting the soft skills required to get the most out of people around him. Dan has been a shining example to others in the Delphi scheme and his performance can only be considered the ‘benchmark’ by people looking for a role model.”
The judges, Andrew Livesey and Robert Dewhurst, commended all three finalists, saying they were exemplary winners and, wishing them all luck with their future studies and careers.
The runners-up were Sam Harris, at Ford Motor Company, and Scott Patterson, of Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Ltd.
Find out more about the
Brian Hildrew Apprentice of the Year Award.