SWITCHED on Newport electrical engineer Luke Elsmore has been named Apprentice of the Year in the ESTnet Awards.

The annual awards are held to celebrate excellence in Wales’ electronics and software technologies sector.

Luke, aged 20, from Blackwood, works at leading global electrical integration specialist business IAC Ltd at Queensway Meadows, Newport.

Luke, who has already gained significant recognition for his skills, said: “I really wasn’t expecting to win this award so am utterly delighted. I try to put a lot of effort into my role so it is lovely to be recognised for that. I would like to thank everyone at IAC Ltd for the opportunities they have given me.”

A former pupil at Blackwood Comprehensive School, Luke attends the University of South Wales in Newport as part of his apprenticeship training at IAC and also Newport and District Training Group (NDGTA).

Former IAC Ltd apprentice, Luke Fletcher was short listed for an ESTnet award in the Young Engineer of the Year category.

Peter Lewis, managing director of IAC said: “The two Lukes are both very talented individuals and excellent examples of the kind of apprentice engineers that we consistently produce here in Newport.”

Mr Lewis said IAC, a multi award winning company, are committed to supporting apprenticeships. The established Newport firm currently has eight apprentices in its workforce and take on two a year.

Newbridge-based Axiom Manufacturing Services, which designs and makes components and sub-assemblies for top electronics manufacturers, was named ‘Company of the Year’ title for businesses over £10m.

Newport’s Interceptor Solutions received the award for ‘Innovative Software Application’ for its LinguaSkin application which aims to simplify and reduce the costs associated with delivering bilingual services online.

ESTnet managing director, Avril Lewis, said: “This year’s awards are once again testament to the fantastic work and innovation taking place within Wales’ technology sector and Gwent can be proud that it has so many successful individuals and businesses within the region.

“The level of interest this year from new and star-up businesses in particular really does reflect the ever changing nature of our industry and highlights just how important it is for businesses to engage with the ESTnet, government and academic institutions to ensure we are at the forefront of digital skills for the future.”

Winner of the ‘Company of the Year’ Award for businesses over £10m, David Davies, managing director of Axiom Manufacturing Services, said: “This recognition signifies our commitment to the empowerment of our workforce and drive to create a sustainable company for the future.”

Following the announcement that ‘LinguaSkin’ had been selected as this year’s ‘Innovative Software Application’, Richard Sheppard of Interceptor Solutions, said: “This award is validation that our LinguaSkin product is recognised as groundbreaking and exciting as we believe it to be.”

Sponsore of the ESTnet awards 2015 include Axiom Manufacturing Services, SPTS Technologies, Coleg y Cymoedd, Software Alliance Wales, Sony UK Technology Centre, University of South Wales, IQE PLC, General Dynamics UK, Finance Wales, Taylor Dowding Innovation Ltd, EIP, Lloyds Bank, IR Newport Ltd - an Infineon Technologies Company, Smart Solutions, Broomfield & Alexander, WAVE, KSR International, the Knowledge Transfer Network, EBV, Avnet, and TTI.