Awards, young engineers and racing cars [30/06/2010] Luke Pearce, a student at Cherwell School, has won the 'Oxfordshire Young Engineer High Sheriff's Award – 2010'. He won the award by showing high levels of maturity, teamwork, motivation, skills and understanding. Although he missed the first term of the Young Apprenticeship programme, he managed to overtake the rest of the group and complete the course first. The Oxfordshire Young Engineer High Sheriff's Award is an annual event, designed specifically for 14 to 16 year olds following Young Apprenticeship or new Engineering Diploma courses. The awards, announced during a ceremony at the Williams F1 Centre, recognise the outstanding achievements of young engineers who have demonstrated inspiration, commitment to learning, a positive attitude towards engineering and a desire to pursue a future career in the engineering sector. The award, hosted by Oxford & Cherwell Valley College (OCVC) and the High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, was conceived in response to a widely predicted shortfall of trained engineers in the UK, estimated at an alarming 600,000 over the next seven years, according to a recent report. This year's High Sheriff of Oxfordshire Marie-Jane Barnett joined OCVC Principal Sally Dicketts, business leaders, teachers, nominees and parents from across the county to celebrate with the engineering students against the backdrop of the largest private collection of Formula One cars in the world. OCVC Engineering Curriculum Manager Phil Neave said: "It's clear that manufacturing and technology businesses are set to play a major role in the UK's recovery from recession. Oxfordshire needs a steady flow of qualified engineers and greater numbers of youngsters need encouragement to pursue careers in this sector." Barnett added: "This event demonstrates what we're determined to do: inspire, prepare and support the engineers of tomorrow. It's quite an achievement to have so many schools involved and it's a pleasure to meet the students who are distinguishing themselves, especially in such a vibrant venue." Runner-up for the main award was Phillip Nunes (Cooper School), while the 'Most Outstanding Progress High Sheriff's Award – 2010' went to Daniel East (Lord Williams's School) , with Chris Windsor (St Birinus School) taking the runner-up prize.