Valuable Scholarship Leads to Top University Degree

Amy Felgate from Hymers College in Hull has been working with OSL for two years as part of her Arkwright scholarship. The primary aim of the scholarships is to support students through studies and encourage them into top universities and higher apprenticeship schemes. After she had passed a rigorous selection process that consisted of an assessed application form with teacher’s reference, a two-hour aptitude exam and a university-based interview, OSL and the Energy Institute teamed up to sponsor her studies, giving valuable insight into the world of engineering.

During this time, Amy received mentoring from Abigail Abiola-Cudjoe, an experienced Process Engineer who began her career at OSL as a graduate. The topics covered by Amy’s training, studies and assignments were wide-ranging, including the completion of a conceptual design report, a FEED study, and simulation tasks using UniSim software. She also delivered a presentation on the Central Heating Project, identified and investigated renewable sources of energy by producing a short document, examined the applications of Minimum Facilities Platforms, and undertook a challenging task to understand Process Flow Diagrams and Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams of an actual MFP that is currently being built. Complementing these exercises were a variety of other focus areas, from pump calculations to process safety, giving Amy a comprehensive understanding of engineering that most students cannot access until they secure university work placements.

Amy gave a presentation on these achievements to staff at OSL House, sharing what she has learnt during her time with the team and the unique benefits of the Arkwright scholarship. Now that Amy has completed her studies with flying colours, she’s studying an Engineering degree at Cambridge University, which proves that her time with us was an excellent investment for everyone involved.

Principal Director Alastair Robertson said: “We’re all incredibly proud of Amy and her can-do attitude. We wish her the very best in her degree and are confident that our paths will cross again in the future.”

Following the success of Amy’s scholarship, OSL and the EI have agreed to sponsor another student, Luke Middleton from Birkdale School in Sheffield. The Secretary of the Humberside EI Committee, Tim Brant, attended Amy’s presentation along with Luke and his OSL mentor Jonny Elvidge, giving the young student a taste of what can be achieved through mentorship, first-hand experience and intensive learning.

Operations Manager Neil Barnard said: “We’re all very excited about Luke joining the team. Who knows where his Arkwright scholarship and two years with OSL will take him?”