Late last month Ewen Baker had just started three weeks of work experience for his engineering apprenticeship.
Then he landed a full-time position with Scott Technology and has now been awarded the $5000, Bill Buckley Scholarship Award.

The presentation was announced at the Maintenance Engineering Society’s annual conference in Hamilton.  Baker was the outstanding candidate from over 30 finalists submitted from throughout the country.
“His presentation stood out from the rest” said Bill Sole, Industry Engagement Manager of Competenz and one of MESNZ panel members making the selection. 

“Ewen has both the academic results plus the hands-on skills and ambition to become an engineering leader of the future.  He clearly has a good mechanical aptitude and we are sure this scholarship will set him up for his future career.”

On hand to make the presentation, was the award namesake, Bill Buckley.  Bill Buckley is the patron of MESNZ and founder of Auckland based Buckley Systems Limited (BSL), the world’s leading supplier of precision electromagnets used in the manufacture of silicon chips, flat-panel screens, high-end medical machinery and particle accelerators used in medical proton and photon therapy – systems that will revolutionise cancer treatments of the future.
Buckley spoke of his time as an engineering apprentice and his desire “to go after the stuff that is too complicated for the average engineer”.

Baker was rapt with the award and confirmed the $5000 would be of tremendous value for his ongoing engineering studies. Baker said he wanted to take very opportunity to learn new things and the scholarship would be a great help.

“I just love the practical stuff like working on the tools, but also enjoy the CAD design and even the mathematical modelling,” said Baker. “I hope to work on a variety of projects for Scott Technology and perhaps get to travel to work on some of their overseas projects.”

Baker also gets involved with engineering projects in his spare time.  “I’ve been helping my father restore a ute and hope to one day build and drive my own race car.”