A TECHNICIAN from the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) has been praised for her role as a STEM pioneer.

Amy Lambden has been announced as the winner of the south-east category in the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017.

This prestigious award follows Miss Lambden being named as one of the BBC’s 100 Women in 2016 for her role as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) pioneer and education work with young people in the community.

She said: “I am shocked that I won but really pleased. It was a tough process and I was up against some amazing apprentices, so I’m still getting used to it.”

Miss Lambden is a product of the AWE Skills Academy and since graduating has been working as a technician in electronics.

She added: “My apprenticeship has developed me immensely over the past four years. It’s definitely made me the person I am today. Promoting engineering and apprenticeships at schools and colleges is really enjoyable and I’ve even done a live national radio interview on the BBC.

“I’m now concentrating on degree-level study and developing my professional career. I am a more confident and motivated person and lucky enough to love what I do.”

Miss Lamden will now go forward to the next stage of the competition with the other regional and category winners and she will learn if she has made it through to the national final in January.