Introducing... our 2019 Apprenticeship Award winner!

Updated: 12 Jun 2023

Bright spark James, from Newport Pagnell, has been awarded the Oddfellows Apprenticeship Award for 2019.

The grant is designed to support James throughout his three-year Power Engineering Foundation Degree (FdEng) at Aston University in Birmingham, which forms part of James’s recent appointment as Trainee Planner with Western Power Distribution.

My grandfather was always working on different projects, building circuits and so on, which I guess must have sparked my interest!

James was singled out to receive the coveted Oddfellows Apprenticeship Award by the Fraternal Board of national friendly society, the Oddfellows, of which he is a member of the local Bedford Branch. The award is a grant of up to £250 per year for the duration of an Apprenticeship.

On receiving the news, James said: “I’m extremely grateful. It’s been a huge help already, as I’ve been able to buy things like a laptop, a scientific calculator, course books and a large enough rucksack for me to fit everything in for when I’m working away or on training courses.

“I’ve always been fascinated in electricity and engineering. My grandfather was always working on different projects, building circuits and so on, which I guess must have sparked my interest!”

Branch Secretary for the Bedford Branch of the Oddfellows, Pat Flynn, said: “Being able to support James on his career path is a huge honour and we couldn’t be more proud of his achievements so far.”

Interested in applying for the Oddfellows Apprenticeship Awards?

Good news! The deadline for 2019 Apprenticeship Awards has been extended to 31 March 2020, for consideration in April 2020. 

For the 2021 Apprenticeship Awards, eligible members are invited to apply via their Branches around September 2021. The Branch’s deadline for submitting applications for consideration is 31 December 2021. Judging will take place in February 2022.

Visit the Educational Awards section of our website to learn more the Oddfellows Educational and Apprenticeship Awards, and how you can apply.

Not yet an Oddfellows member? Financial help is just one of the many benefits of Oddfellows membership. Discover other ways in which we can help you get even more out of life.