Highly skilled engineering services company Babcock International has won this year’s Worshipful Company of Shipwright’s (WCoS) Best Company award.
The accolade was presented to Babcock Devonport, at a recent award ceremony, in recognition of managing the best apprenticeship scheme for engineers, and for its commitment to improving marine engineering apprenticeships.
Success in the prestigious Best Company category follows on from an already impressive track record for Babcock’s apprentices, with talented individuals, picking up the WCoS’s top prize, The Queen’s Silver Medal, five times over the last decade.
Last year, following rigorous application processes, hundreds of new apprentices joined Babcock’s highly acclaimed schemes in a variety of roles, including; engineers, welders, fabricators, naval architects and in supply chain management.
Babcock Director for HR, Jonathan Whitworth said: “I’m delighted that our Devonport Apprenticeship Scheme has won this year’s Best Company Award the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights.
“By investing in high quality apprenticeships Babcock is safeguarding the 700-year-old Worshipful Company’s aim of protecting the quality of marine engineering by producing the best apprentices while also promoting and supporting education and youth development in the maritime and marine sectors.”
The Silver Medal competition was instituted by His Majesty King George VI, Permanent Master of the Shipwrights’ Company in 1944, to be awarded to the Shipyard Apprentice of the Year. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the current patron and HRH the Prince of Wales the Permanent Master.
