06.01.2020Sentinel Business Awards: Dean nominated for Apprentice of the Year

We are pleased to announce that our very own Dean Watson has been nominated for Apprentice of the Year at this year's Sentinel Business Awards.

Dean joined us back in February 2019 and has gone above and beyond expectations, achieving so much in the short time he has worked at AEON.

Deans Career Background

Prior to joining the team, the 22-year old had spent 4 years in the RAF as a survival equipment specialist.

Dean said: “When I left school, I wanted to pursue an engineering apprenticeship, but I was told I didn’t have the right life skills.

“So after spending four years in the RAF I decided I wanted to move into something more technical via an apprenticeship.

“I saw a job advertisement for AEON Engineering and was offered a position as a junior engineer in February.”

He added: “I have limited life experience and have had to learn how to live independently.

“I have had to find myself a flat and a job and generally adjust to a new way of living.

“So being able to successfully transition into civilian life has been a big personal achievement for me.”

Apprenticeship at AEON Engineering

On completion of his apprenticeship, Dean will achieve Chartered status alongside invaluable experience which will help him to achieve his goal of becoming a senior design engineer.

Dean said: “The complexity of the work the company is involved in is what appealed to me the most, but it has been more challenging than I anticipated and it’s been a real learning curve for me.

“I built up a lot of engineering knowledge in the RAF, but this role requires me to have a wider range of skills and knowledge. It’s good because it means I am able to think differently and work in a different way. In the RAF everything was very regimented and there was a certain way of doing things.”

Commercial director Kimberley Walley said: “Dean has taken on new responsibilities with relish. He has never complained only applied himself with vigour, researching anything and everything to give the best possible result.

“He had a tough time leaving the military and was looking for someone to give him a chance to prove what a hardworking, committed and intelligent engineer he is. He is an asset to AEON and a great representation of what we are all about.”

The winners of the Sentinel Business Awards will be announced at a ceremony at The King’s Hall, in Stoke. All the best of luck, Dean!

Join the AEON Team

Interested in working for AEON? Check out our careers page and see if a role covering all aspects of the engineering life cycle is right for you.