Aston University Degree Apprenticeship Student Receives Worshipful Company of Ironmongers Annual Award
An Aston University degree apprenticeship student has been named as the winner of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers jubilee award for 2024.
The annual competition is overseen and coordinated by the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers and rewards under 35-year-olds who work in the ferrous castings field.
Joseph Moseley, who is 22 years old, is in the second year of studying for a manufacturing engineering level 6 degree apprenticeship at Aston University. He works at works at TD Foundry in Dudley, West Midlands which has been in operation since 1920.
His prize is to represent the UK at the World Foundry Congress, the world’s largest technical conference, to be held this year in Deyang, China.
Joseph was assessed on a short, written presentation highlighting his contribution to his employer, followed by an interview, before being picked to represent the Worshipful Company and the UK abroad. He will also be presented with a medal at an awards ceremony held by the Institute of Cast Metals Engineers.
The Worshipful Company of Ironmongers is one of the original 10 London livery companies and the honour was created in 1977 to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s silver jubilee.
Joseph said: “I feel the degree apprenticeship at Aston University will give me a well-rounded foundation for a lifelong career in engineering.
“It covers a very broad range of disciplines and has further improved any existing knowledge, skills and behaviours in relevant subjects from within the workplace.
“I absolutely would recommend this approach to anyone who desires a career in engineering. It provides a number of irreplaceable skills and valuable networking opportunities.”
Dr Ahmad Baroutaji, interim head of the University’s Aston Professional Engineering Centre, said: “A degree apprenticeship offers a work-based route to higher education, with the learning designed so apprentices can directly apply their new knowledge and skills in the workplace on a day-to-day basis.
“As part of our 2030 strategy we are committed to ensuring that all our students are ready for work and life. We would like to congratulate Joseph on winning this award and demonstrating that he is indeed ready to make the most of the opportunities with which it will present him.”
Andrew Turner, executive secretary at the World Foundry Organisation, said: “Joseph is a worthy winner and I congratulate the development of this young man.
“As winner he will fly out to the event in October taking part in the technical conference, social events, a works visits to a local foundry and a post congress tour to the panda breeding and conservation centre in Chengdu. Well done Joe!”