Chemistry Award Success for Manchester Met Degree Apprentice Student

Roxanne, receiving her award at the ceremony last week (Picture: © Royal Society of Chemistry)

Roxanne, an apprentice at AstraZeneca in Macclesfield, who is studying for a Chemical Science Degree Apprenticeship at Manchester Metropolitan University was awarded the prestigious accolade at a ceremony at Manchester’s Midland Hotel.

Part of the RSC’s ‘Chemistry Means Business’ flagship event, the award recognises the outstanding achievement of an apprentice working in the chemical sector.

Susan Smith, Product Development Manager at AstraZeneca said: "From the moment she stepped into AstraZeneca, Roxanne has been fearless in her pursuit of knowledge, and her love of science shines through in her every interaction. I am immensely proud of her success and she is a wonderful role model for apprenticeships – we can all learn from the endeavour and drive of young scientists like Roxanne!"

Roxanne joined AstraZeneca in 2014 on an Advanced Apprenticeship and has this year progressed on to the first year of a degree apprenticeship.  Her recognition demonstrates the impact apprentices can make in the workplace.

David Rutley, MP for Macclesfield said:

“I am delighted to hear of Roxanne’s success, which is a real credit to her hard work and commitment at AstraZeneca and in her university studies at Manchester Metropolitan on the degree apprenticeship programme. As well as being a well-deserved personal triumph, her recognition illustrates the outstanding contribution of degree apprentices to the success of the businesses in our area.”

This is the second time this year a degree apprentice at Manchester Met has made an impact at a national science and engineering awards ceremony. Nadia Johnson, a Digital & Technology Solutions degree apprentice with Thales UK, was previously nominated for Young Female Engineer of the Year at the Institute of Engineering and Technology Awards.

Dr Michael Cole, Principal Lecturer in Chemical Science said: “I am really proud of Roxanne and her success in these awards is richly deserved. She is a fantastic apprentice student and a great advocate for both apprenticeships and women in science. I hope her recognition may help to inspire others to follow in her footsteps.”

Find out more about the Chemical Science Degree Apprenticeship.