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Skewen apprentice gas engineer Taylor Hoskins has been honoured as Coleg Sir Gar and Coleg Ceredigion celebrated its annual Achievement of Excellence Awards.

Taylor, 20, picked up the Excellence Award for Engineering in front of 200 guests who packed Llanelli theatre, Ffwrnes, and was one of more than 50 learners to receive recognition.

The awards were presented to a host of learners including those studying apprenticeships, degrees, extended diplomas and A-levels and were awarded to those who have been recognised for their significant achievements and their personal journeys to success.

Taylor, who is just about to embark on the second year of Wales & West Utilities highly coveted apprenticeship training programme, was thrilled to win. She said:

“Winning this award and being recognised by my tutor and other college peers is fantastic. I have worked hard and am thrilled that my commitment to learning has been recognised.”

Taylor has just completed her first year of a three-year Electrical & Instrumental Apprenticeship where she studied in college full time. In September she will embark on her second year, where she will be working on the gas network four days and in college one day a week. As part of Wales & West Utilities Network Services team, she works to maintain the control systems of the gas network.

She continued:

“I am lucky in that I followed my heart to work within a career that I truly love – so many people settle for a job, but I wanted more.

“I am learning new skills every single day and have a hunger for more! Being a woman in engineering I want to spread the message to other young girls that there are so many opportunities out there.

“They are all for the taking and if you apply yourself and push boundaries, you will succeed. A career in engineering presents so many opportunities for today’s young females and I am looking forward to working alongside colleagues to help deliver a safe and reliable gas supply to the communities that rely on us every day.

Taylor’s tutor, Adam Twells, spoke of her award:

“Taylor is very deserving of this award, having worked consistently hard all year, with excellent attendance. As well as exceeding in her studies and practical work, she is always ready to help support events to promote STEM subjects and engineering, taking a lead role in the year 8 Aspire2B girls’ event. Taylor has a very bright future ahead of her and a great career as an engineer. ”

Sarah Hopkins, Wales & West Utilities People and Engagement Director said:

“Taylor has made a fantastic start to her apprenticeship and we’re proud that she has been recognised by her college. Apprentices are vital to our business and make sure that we can keep the gas flowing to heat homes and power businesses so that people are safe and warm for generations to come.”

Wales & West Utilities has a team of more than 1000 trained and experienced engineers to help serve the 7.5m people across Wales and the south west of England that rely on its gas emergency and pipeline services. If anyone smells gas, thinks they have a gas leak, or suspects carbon monoxide poisoning, they should call us on 0800 111 999 and our engineers will be there to help, day or night. 

Our team is also working on a multi-million pound, 30-year gas pipe investment programme which began in 2002. Old metal pipes within 30 metres of buildings are being replaced with new long-lasting pipes with a lifespan of more than 80 years, to make sure homes and businesses continue to receive a safe and reliable gas supply now and in the future.