The inspiration behind Edinburgh's Apprentice of the Year

A week-long work experience placement was the inspiration that ultimately led to Lewis Liston being named Edinburgh’s Apprentice of the Year.

Lewis Liston

The manufacturing technical apprentice from Leonardo claimed the top prize at this month's Edinburgh Apprenticeship Awards, scooping up the honour from a lengthy shortlist.

With a dedication and passion for engineering and STEM, Mr Liston, 21, said he was “thrilled” to receive the prize after a very difficult year.

His first opportunity to work at aerospace company Leonardo was in 2015 when he undertook a week-long work experience placement.

“I really enjoyed my experience with them and I was interested in a career in engineering once I left school,” Mr Liston said. “I was quite into design and technology in school, which tied in really well when I got the apprenticeship.

“I've always been quite a hands-on learner and some of that you can’t really get at university. I wanted to get straight into the workplace environment with on-the-job learning so chose to do an apprenticeship over university.”

While he finished his apprenticeship in August and now works as an industrial engineer, Mr Liston credits the variety of work he received in the apprenticeship to some of his success.

“The good thing about the Leonardo apprenticeship is you go around different departments and do three-month placements," he said.

“I think it's quite hard when it comes to school to know exactly what you want to do. A good understanding of the different areas in the business was really helpful .”

Mr Liston is now giving back, having taken an apprentice on to mentor and share his first-hand experience.