A team of first year Valero apprentices attending Pembrokeshire College won the ‘Best Application of Engineering and Technology’ award at the Engineering Education Scheme Wales (EESW) awards, part of ‘The Big Bang Fair’ at Swansea University’s Bay Campus, which took place last month.

The group were given a design brief by Valero to develop a machine capable of testing and identifying components on the refinery’s steam systems. The device was designed and constructed at Pembrokeshire College as part of the Valero Apprenticeship Engineering Course with assistance from a Valero engineer, which included working on site to test and prove the machine. During their research, the group identified that significant environmental and cost benefits for the refinery can be achieved by using this technology.

Valero senior technical trainer, Paul Evans, said: “The apprentices worked incredibly well together as a team to apply the knowledge they have gained from their course to build a fully functioning prototype suitable for use in a real life industrial application resulting in significant benefits to the refinery.”