Alstom Welding Apprentice wins BOC title as Best in England

Alstom apprentice Richard Keatman, from Alsager in Stoke on Trent, has been named as the BOC English Apprentice Welder 2011 after successfully competing against some of the countrys leading apprentices.

Richard, aged twenty one, is currently completing the second year of his four year Alstom apprentice programme, won the trophy at Alstoms state-of-the-art welding facility in Stafford on Thursday 7 July. To achieve the title, Richard emerged triumphant against 10 fellow apprentices, having previously succeeded over 200 welders, in the regional contests that led up to the final. .

Commenting on his success, Richard said: The competition was very tough and I take my hat off to all the other competitors as everyone performed really well. It means such a lot to win. I come from a long line of welders, as both my Dad and Granddad were also in the same trade, so you could say its in my blood. BOC put on a brilliant event and Id like to thank Alstom and also my parents for all their support.

Mike Dennis, Business Director for BOCs Bulk and Packaged Gases, said: The UK has to promote and encourage these key engineering skills if we are to maintain our presence as a leading engineering and manufacturing economy. That is why BOC believes this competition to be so important for the future. Over the three years the competition has been running we have seen increasing interest in welding across the UK, a trend we firmly expect to continue.

Stephen Burgin, Alstoms UK Country President and Head of Power, commented: I would like to congratulate all the contestants who have demonstrated that the UK is taking the lead in developing expert skills, which are of vital importance to the engineering industry. Alstom is strongly committed to skills development and the training of highly skilled employees, continually investing in our dedicated training schools that play a continue to play a key role in shaping young talent across the UK.

Alstom opened its world-class welding facility in Stafford in 2009 as part of its commitment to improve welding skills in British industry. Equipped with 18 individual welding bays, Alstoms welding centre is fitted with the latest energy efficiency systems and welding technology. The facility formed the perfect venue for the BOC Apprentice Welder competition, which is designed to encourage and recognise excellence in welding skills amongst trainees and apprentices. BOC, a member of The Linde Group, is the UKs largest supplier of industrial and welding gases.

Alstom currently has over 100 apprenticeships in the UK across its power generation, power transmission and transport sectors and recently advertised a further 20 apprenticeships within the Stafford area.

Richard is not the only Alstom UK apprentice to win recognition in the industry, another Alstom apprentice, Danny Broadbent, has won UK and European welding competitions in recent years.

Richard will now compete for Alstom in the UK National Finals due to be held at The Welding Institute in October, where he will take on the top competitors from England, Wales and Scotland.