Jaguar Land Rover degree apprentice at WCG wins prestigious engineering award

Published by

Kirsty Muir

A Bedworth apprentice has been named joint winner of a prestigious engineering award which recognises young talent.

Chloe Crutchlow is a degree apprentice at Jaguar Land Rover and is completing a six-year degree trailblazer apprenticeship through WCG (formerly Warwickshire College Group).

The 24-year-old was nominated for last year’s Make UK Midlands and East Rising Star award but has gone one step better this year by winning the Engineering Apprentice of the Year: Final Year award.

Chloe picked up the award at the virtual Make UK Midlands and East Awards 2020 ceremony and will now move on to the national finals to go head-to-head with the country’s top apprentices.

She said: “It was a great feeling to win the award and to be recognised for all the hard work I have put in during my apprenticeship – it was a shame it was virtual, but we still dressed up a bit!

“Last year I was nominated for Rising Star, so it’s nice to have won this year and to go on to represent the region at the nationals in January.

“I’ve been operating as an engineer within the analytical measurement technologies team, with a focus on the emission systems of the vehicles.

“Over the last couple of years, I’ve been given more responsibility and have been particularly proud of developing a new engine test for researching emissions in association with new legislation, and that test was one of the reasons I was nominated.

“I enjoyed the time at college. I came straight from A Levels and the hands-on workshop aspect was very beneficial for me. The vocational teaching gave me good foundations and they provided me with great support to complete the foundation degree.

“My goal for the future is to be an Incorporated Engineer and possibly complete a master’s degree.

“I’m really looking forward to the national finals - fingers crossed I can come away with the national award too!”

Chloe and her cohort are now in the process of their EPA (End Point Assessment) for their degree apprenticeship.

Graham Rees-Nicholls, Head of Department (Work Based Learning) for JLR apprentice programmes at WCG stated “We were delighted to hear of Chloe’s success and wish her all the best for the national final.

“The regional award is a brilliant accolade to have and it’s testament to her hard work and dedication during her apprenticeship.”

It builds on a successful year for Jaguar Land Rover apprentices at WCG, with a total of 19 apprentices based at WCG’s Warwick Trident College completing their Level 3 Motor Vehicle Service and Maintenance Technician (Light Vehicle) apprenticeships.

The college delivered their end point assessments despite the pandemic, with the final few completing after the lifting of lockdown.

All of these are mature learners and have completed the apprenticeship in approximately 18 months rather than the normal three years due to their hard work, commitment and support from their employer.

Graham added: “It has been a hugely successful year for our programmes with Jaguar Land Rover despite the difficult circumstances, and our work based learning team with the Automotive workshop staff have gone above and beyond to ensure that all apprentices were able to complete their assessments during the pandemic.”

WCG offers a wide range of apprenticeships in a variety of industries. For more information visit wcg.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact the Business Development Team at employenquiries@wcg.ac.uk / 0330 135 6940

Apprentices have been welcomed at across our colleges, Pershore College, Evesham College, Malvern Hills College, Rugby College, Moreton Morrell, Royal Leamington Spa and Warwick Trident

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