Young achiever receives Duke of York Award

James Gratton's drive, commitment and technical curiosity has been rewarded with a Duke of York Outstanding Achievement Award, sponsored by the Institution.

The Duke of York Awards for Technical Education recognise the success of young people choosing technical education, and encourages wider support from parents, businesses and other stakeholders for this form of study. 

Criteria for the awards include the completion of work experience placements and the development of important workplace competences such as communication skills, problem-solving and taking responsibility.

Director of Engineering, Dr Colin Brown, represented the Institution at the awards ceremony at St James’s Palace on 8 December. The Institution sponsored an award for Post-16 Outstanding Achievement, which was presented to 18-year-old James Gratton by HRH the Duke of York. 

This special award was in addition to the core Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards that recognised those who had performed over and above the required criteria.

James formerly attended the JCB Academy in Rocester, Staffordshire. He was rewarded for his drive, commitment and technical curiosity well in advance of his years, including work experience placements at Rolls Royce, Network Rail, Atkins and the JCB Plant and top grades in engineering, maths and physics. 

He said: “My advice to any student interested in engineering or business would be – go to a University Technical College. You mix different types of learning, both the theory and the practice, and work on a whole variety of applied projects. You have to put a lot in – but you get a lot out!”

One of James’s teachers at the JCB Academy, Paula Gwinnett, commented on his ability to meet and exceed expectations. She said: “James is an exceptional young engineer, demonstrating drive, commitment and technical curiosity well in advance of his years. His willingness to push boundaries, to truly ‘engineer’, is probably his greatest asset.”

His achievements have been recognised further through gaining a scholarship with Boeing to read for an M.Eng in Engineering and Mechatronics.



HRH The Duke of York, KG presenting the Awards, told the students: “If we want to be a prosperous country in the twenty-first century it is self evident: you have to invest in the skills of young people. We need to give you the best start we can. That's why I am supporting what UTCs are doing.

“This route you have chosen is going to give you more capability and advantage. Congratulations, I wish you every continued success in your future careers.”

Lord Baker, Chairman of Baker Dearing Educational Trust, the organisation behind UTCs, said: “The Duke of York Technical Awards is a wonderful way to celebrate the achievements of young people who choose technical education. 

“UTCs offer them clear pathways to jobs, apprenticeships and further study.  The success of the students here today demonstrates how they are already putting this into action and are on their way to creating bright futures for themselves.”

Colin Brown added: “The Institution is delighted to have committed to support the Outstanding Achievement Award for the next five years. We need to showcase the brilliance of these students who have chosen a combined practical and academic route to develop their skills and experience. James Gratton is a worthy winner and we look forward to working with him as he continues to develop in his career.”