Last updated 15:59, Wednesday, 05 March 2008

TWO West Cumbrian apprentices were recognised for their hard work and achievement over 2007 with a special award handed to them at the West Cumbria Young Apprentice Awards Ceremony.

Awards: Young Apprentices of the Year Steven Rogan and Bethany McDonald with Matthew McCarry

The apprentices, Beth McDonald from Stainburn School in Workington and Steven Rogan from St Benedict’s Catholic High School in Whitehaven, received the awards for very different subjects; Beth completed a Level 2 BTECH First Certificate in -performing arts and Steven is currently studying engineering at AS Level.

The awards evening saw students from across West Cumbria celebrated for a range of disciplines and the pair had no idea they were up for nomination until the last minute.

“I didn’t know I was even nominated,” Beth, 16, explained. “But I was really pleased when I found out. Later on I was told I was nominated by those who were involved in the productions we created.

“There were seven out of our group who went to the event and we all agreed it was really nice to have received recognition for our work on the course and also it was a really nice conclusion to our course as we were the first group to take the BTECH qualification.

“The performing arts course ran across two years while we were in years 10 and 11 at secondary school and it was quite difficult sometimes to organise the coursework around the work we were already doing for our GCSEs. But I love drama and performing arts so as it was a subject which already had my interest; I found it a lot easier to motivate myself.”

Beth, who is now at Workington Sixth Form Centre studying drama, I.T and English language, went on: “As well as all the written work we had to complete 50 hours of practical work over the space of the two years and that was great fun. We took part in workshops and theatre plays, mostly with the Youth Theatre and on the odd occasions at the Theatre By The Lake in Keswick. We also took part in the La’al Festival each year where we were involved in plays.

“I love the experience you have being a part of a production and it’s the theatre where I want to focus my efforts. I have also been on trips to Stafford before with school which was really interesting.

“I have been involved in performing arts from a young age and performed with the Cumbria Youth Theatre quite a lot. It’s an industry which I have always wanted to pursue a career in so I plan to go to university and study it.

“So when I saw the chance to take the BTECH course I jumped at it; it’s a winning situation either way you look at it. We gain more experience which will benefit us greatly in the future and we gain an extra qualification.

“It’s a brilliant opportunity if you are willing to put in the time and effort; you have to be focused and determined but if it’s an interest and hobby you love anyway then it shouldn’t be an effort.

“I know that having this qualification is really going to be a bonus for me in the future with regards to my CV and applying for universities. I’d love to get into acting but obviously I know how difficult that can be so I am contemplating a teaching degree in performing arts but a lot more doors have now been opened up for me.”

Steven, who is studying maths, physics and engineering, only found out on the night of the awards ceremony he was receiving the prize: “It was a big shock to find out I had received the award as there was a group of 12 of us all studying engineering but I was really pleased,” he said.

“We had to complete 50 hours’ practical learning and most of our time was spent at the B111 training centre at Sellafield, but we would also have to go to Lakes College now and again.

“The work was very varied and really interesting. It involved building up a portfolio of work, from producing plans to taking pictures, which I was then marked on. But I was also marked on my practical learning.

“Some of the things I’ve made for the course have been technical and quite awkward at times, but once they were completed they seemed very professional; I have made a water sprinkler and also a water pump.

“The work, at the moment, involves a lot of typing and research but we are still only early on in the course so the pace will pick up soon and get more challenging. It’s a very good course to take and I know it will give me and the others on it a head start.

“For example, when I go for job interviews in the future I know I’ll have the confidence and experience I’ve already gained doing the course to help me in the work place. I’m only in my first year of the course but next year I hope to apply to GEN II where I can develop my skills even further. But with all the opportunities in engineering here in West Cumbria I know I will definitely stay here and follow a career in the industry.”