SEA Celebrates Apprenticeship Success at Engineering Trust Annual Awards

SEA has been recognised across multiple categories at this year’s Engineering Trust Annual Awards.

The Engineering Trust’s awards celebrate excellence in apprenticeships across industry, recognising individuals, employers and mentors who demonstrate outstanding development, commitment and contribution to skills growth. SEA’s wins and commendations span apprentice progression, employer commitment and mentoring.

Apprentice Production Technician Oliver Smith was highly commended for the Progression Award, which recognises current and former apprentices who have demonstrated significant personal and professional development while making a positive impact within their organisation.

Oliver joined SEA directly from school and is now in the final year of his apprenticeship. After starting in production, he progressed into an extended placement with SEA’s Production Engineering team, becoming the first SEA production apprentice to move into this area. There, he introduced 3D printed components to support product development, helping reduce lead times, lower costs and accelerate design review cycles. He also supported manufacturing documentation for SEA’s Torpedo Launcher System, helping capture accurate and consistent build processes for production use.

Skilled Assembly Technician, Dillon Clements was nominated for the Apprentice of the Year by the Engineering Trust, and received a highly commended recognition. Recently completing his Apprenticeship with distinction, it was remarked that his work ethic, consistent high standards and commitment to continuous improvement were instrumental to his success and set him apart throughout his apprenticeship.

Matt Clifford, Operations Director at SEA, said; "These awards and commendations reflect the role apprentices and mentors play across SEA’s engineering and production teams. Apprentices are contributing to live programmes, solving practical challenges and helping us strengthen the skills base we need for the future.

“The recognition is a clear example of what our apprenticeship programme is designed to achieve; developing capable people, creating progression routes and building the engineering talent needed to support advanced defence capability.”

Valerie Steadman, Human Resources Director at SEA, also commented: “Apprenticeships are an important part of how we develop and retain talent at SEA. Many of our apprentices go on to build long-term careers with us, bringing fresh ideas into the business while developing the skills and confidence to progress. We are proud to be recognised through the Engineering Trust Awards, reflecting the commitment of our apprentices, mentors and everyone across SEA who supports their development.”

SEA continues to invest in its apprenticeship and early career programmes to develop the engineers, technicians and specialists required to support its long-term growth and delivery of advanced defence capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to developing future talent within the UK defence sector.

Find out more about Apprenticeships at SEA