AN OXFORD apprentice has been shortlisted for a BAME Apprentice Award.

Harrison Shirley, 17, is an apprentice at Abingdon-based Oxfordshire Advanced Skills (OAS).

The UK Atomic Energy Authority apprentice has been shortlisted in the engineering and manufacturing category.

Harrison, from Greater Leys, joined the Level 3 Engineering Technician programme straight from school.

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The apprentice, whose mother’s family are indigenous American, said: “It’s widely reported that only eight per cent of UK engineering professionals are from a BAME background.

“That will not change unless we have more BAME apprentices who will become the next generation of engineers.

“I want to raise awareness of the opportunities that engineering and manufacturing offers to young people from all walks of life.”