A female engineering student at Sunderland College has been nationally recognised for her outstanding achievements.
18-year-old Chloe Tumilty is celebrating after gaining a Bronze Award for BTEC Engineering Student of the Year at the prestigious BTEC Awards 2019.
The talented student from Sunderland has worked with her Grandad fixing boats for most of her life. She also took part in Sail Training with the Tall Ships for three years, which involved sailing offshore as part of a team. Chloe, who has just completed her Level 3 Extended Diploma Engineering at Sunderland College’s £30 million City Campus, said:
“Being nominated for this award was a real surprise for me. When I was told I had received a Bronze Award it felt fantastic! The staff at college have helped me a tremendous amount throughout my time here and I would like to thank every one of them.”
An advocate for encouraging girls to study engineering, Chloe was initially the only female in her engineering class. She supports with various events at Sunderland College, in particular Women into Engineering taster days for local secondary school students, where she inspires young women to follow their passion and become engineers of the future. She enthused:
“Engineering is a vast field with amazing opportunities! Women should have the opportunity to do what men do. You can achieve anything you want if you work at it.”
In September, Chloe will be heading to Lincoln University where she has an offer to study an engineering degree.
Her Mechanical Engineering Lecturer, Mark Stokell, nominated Chloe for the award. He said:
“When the award nominations where first announced, Chloe was the first name that sprang to mind. She has demonstrated a positive attitude to her studies and has volunteered for numerous cross-college activities.
“She has excelled on her course and has overcome barriers to achieve high grades. She is a great ambassador, not only for her course, but for the college as a whole.”
BTECs provide young people with the knowledge and practical skills that employers need. These professional and technical qualifications are well respected and provide a valuable route into employment and university.
Last year, 97.6% of Sunderland College’s engineering students progressed to a positive destination such as further study, university or employment. Engineering staff at the college are experts in their sector and have a vast range of industrial experience covering a broad range of areas within engineering.
Joanne McManus, Faculty Director for Engineering, Construction and Commercial at Sunderland College, said:
“I am delighted that Chloe has won a BTEC Award. It is testament to her hard work and dedication and demonstrates how her course and lecturers have enabled her to excel and reach her full potential. We wish her well and know she has a bright future ahead of her.”
The 9th Annual BTEC Awards celebrates exceptional BTEC providers, students and apprentices. Chloe’s success follows the announcement that Sunderland College was recognised as College of the Year, also at the BTEC Awards.
For more information about Sunderland College, visit the next open event, ring 0191 511 6000 or go to www.sunderlandcollege.ac.uk