A GRADUATE engineer at a Bolton missile maker has been named among the nation's most promising.

Becky Simms, who is on an educational scheme at Lostock-based MBDA, is the joint winner of the 2020 Institute of Mechanical Engineers ‘EngTech of the Year 2020’ award.

Her bosses say the distinction recognises those who "demonstrate outstanding commitment to their professional development".

Candidates must show how they have made a positive difference to their company and also made a signficant contribution towards encouraging other young people into engineering careers.

Staff at MBDA say they nominated Becky for her role as a STEM Ambassador - these are volunteers from a wide range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) related jobs and disciplines across the UK.

In their role they offer both time and enthusiasm to help bring STEM subjects to life and demonstrate the value of them in life and careers.

Before now, Becky has delivered over 250 hours of STEM engagement activities, as well as helping organise all of the firm's outreach and work experience activities at the company’s site.

In her nomination, colleagues praised Becky for her passion for encouraging young people, in particular females, to consider careers in STEM.

Becky said: "It is an honour to win this award. I am excited about how it will support me in continuing to promote STEM subjects and inspiring Young People to consider careers in STEM.

“I benefitted from STEM outreach activities when I was younger.

"The support and encouragement I received from STEM Ambassadors in the engineering industry helped me follow my engineering career path.

"I feel it is both my duty and my privilege to be able to offer similar opportunities to young people.

"There are still many stereotypes that exist around being an engineer, and the more of those stereotypes we can dispel through outreach activities, the better.

"So many talented young people out there would thrive in a STEM role.

"That is why my colleagues and I promote knowledge and awareness of the countless education or career paths they could take.”

Becky shared her award win with Euan MacLean, who works at Babcock International.

Earlier this year her employers themselves were lauded for their contribution to learning and apprenticeships.

They picked up the institute's 'best Partnership between business and education' prize at their manufacturing excellence awards in July. The firm is also a past Bolton Business Awards winner for environmental best practice.