Double Celebration for Laura

Industrial Technology Systems Ltd's (ITS) systems engineer Laura Heathwaite finished the year with double cause for celebration.  Not only did she graduate with a 2:1 after four years of study, but she walked away with a top award and a cash prize.

Laura, who joined the company eight years ago on the modern apprenticeship scheme, studied part-time at the University of Teesside in Middlesbrough, on the BEng (Hons) Instrumentation and Control Engineering degree course, which was sponsored by ITS. 

Her hard work and conscientious approach to her studies brought her regional recognition through her nomination for, and winning of the prestigious Cecil M Yuill Foundation Award for Achievement by a Female Student in Any Field of Engineering.  Laura received a certificate in recognition of this highly prized honour, plus a cheque for £500. 

“I was very pleased and shocked to hear that I’d won the award,” Laura said.  “I hope that my knowledge, coupled with the experience I have will enable me to progress in my career at ITS, perhaps moving into different areas of the business to develop my programming skills.”

The award is given to female engineering students who demonstrate application, excellence and achievement in their final exams, giving particular weight to the demonstration of substantial progress and achievement through their course of study. 

For Laura the award was a thrilling by-product of a course which she thoroughly enjoyed, and which has supported and supplemented a natural aptitude for the subject.

“The highlight of the course was learning new technology and meeting people from other areas of the business.  I can now apply this to my day-to-day role at ITS.”