National Express apprentice wins at national competition

Northfield’s Neave Sproson, a Mechanical and Electrical apprentice for National Express West Midlands, has been named Best Electric Driveline Apprentice following a national IRTE Skills Challenge competition earlier this year.

At an IRTE Skills Challenge Awards ceremony on Thursday 11 July, 20-year-old Neave was presented with her Best Electric Driveline Apprentice trophy, along with the coveted Judge’s Choice award. She was also named Electrical Apprentice runner-up.

Neave, from Northfield in Birmingham, secured the top spot by demonstrating mechanical and electrical skills learned during her apprenticeship in the IRTE Skills Challenge competition in June. Over 60 qualified and apprentice engineers from across the bus and coach industry competed in the challenge this year and Neave achieved the highest score in her category. 

When asked about her award win, Neave said: "It was a mix of emotions. From taking part and feeling very nervous to hearing my name being called out to say I’d won is a feeling like no other. I feel really proud of my achievements, and I wouldn't be standing here today with these trophies if it wasn't for my colleagues at the West Bromwich and Birmingham Central depots, and also South and City College as they’ve all trained me and given me the skills to succeed." 

Neave had to pass online tests, use wiring diagrams to replicate circuits on breadboards, disable an electric bus chassis, and carry out fault finding investigations on other buses.

Craig Perkins, Engineering Apprenticeship manager for National Express West Midlands, said: “Neave always stood out for us. She has a big personality and is always willing to tackle any tasks head on. She applied for her apprenticeship with us in 2021 and started her career in our West Bromwich depot, balancing her first year working a full-time job with college work.

“For her second year Neave moved to our Birmingham Central depot and this is where she really got her head down and pushed herself to get even better. In her third year she went back to West Bromwich where she excelled and now is an integral part of the team.”

Fellow apprentice, 20-year-old Thomas Moore from Bushbury in Wolverhampton, also competed in the IRTE Skills Challenge. Thomas beat his peers in the bodymaker apprentice category and was presented with the award for best Apprentice Bodymaker at Thursday’s IRTE Skills Challenge Awards ceremony.

Emma Thompson MSOE, designate executive director at the Society of Operations Engineers, said: “A big congratulations to not just Neave and Thomas but all of the team that took part. The level of skill and passion on display was awe inspiring. The National Express West Midlands training team and managers are doing an amazing job at nurturing wonderful talent.”

The 12th IRTE Skills Challenge was held in Bristol. The cornerstone event aims to highlight the skills, dedication, and hard work of those who keep the wheels of the transport industry turning smoothly. The award ceremony took place at the British Motor Museum in Warwick, and Lesley Evans from Transport Engineer presented Neave with her awards.

Pictured (L-R): Lesley Evans and Neave Sproson