Festo engineering apprentice Olivia Harrison-Hine was recently awarded apprentice of the year at the prestigious PPMA Group industry awards ceremony held in the National Conference Centre, Birmingham.
The PPMA (process, packaging and machinery association) saw Northamptonshire local Olivia scoop the coveted award as a result of a series of impressive achievements; including gaining a distinction in her HNC, demonstrating a constantly improving skill set and leadership potential beyond her years.
21 year old Olivia, an aspiring electrical engineer with a focus on controls and laboratory automation, is currently in the third year of a degree apprenticeship with leading industrial automation firm Festo.
One of the qualities that also caught the judges’ eyes was Olivia’s eagerness to ‘give back’ and help usher in the next generation of young engineers; achieving this by running stalls and engaging in STEM (Science, technology, Engineering and Maths) activities at her previous school and in the local community and is now a Festo STEM Ambassador.
Olivia said, “I am incredibly honoured to have been awarded the prestigious PPMA Apprentice of the Year Award. This recognition means the world to me, and I cannot express how grateful I am for this award. I owe this achievement to the unwavering support and guidance of my amazing colleagues and my manager at Festo. When I joined the company, I felt like I was part of a family that was genuinely invested in my growth and development.
“They have been my mentors, advocates, and friends, and I could not have asked for a better team to work with. Festo has been the nurturing ground for my professional journey, where my confidence has grown, and my skills have been honed through diverse and challenging projects. I am truly fortunate to have worked on such a wide array of projects.
“This experience has not only enriched my knowledge but has also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the success of our company. I am excited to continue my journey with Festo, inspired by this recognition, and committed to giving my best to the team and the industry.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Festo who has played a part in my growth and to PPMA for this incredible honour. I am happy to be a part of such a remarkable community that values and nurtures the future generation of engineers”.
Commenting on her success Swapnil Khedekar, Head of Festo GB, added: “We are thrilled that Olivia has been honoured with the prestigious PPMA Award for Apprentice of the Year. Since joining the Festo family, Olivia has shown unwavering dedication and a hunger for learning, and a passion for her work. Her commitment to excellence has not only impressed us but also earned her this well-deserved recognition from the PPMA.
“Olivia’s growth and achievements as an apprentice have been remarkable, and we could not be prouder to have her on our team. This award is a testament to her hard work and determination, and we can’t wait to see the incredible contributions that she will no doubt continue to make in the future”.