Neisha Ayris has been awarded the Colin O'Dare Bursary for 2023, recognising her exceptional accomplishments and commitment to personal and professional growth. Neisha, a remarkable individual, has not only excelled academically but has also made a profound impact on local 14–16-year-old learners within the County.

Comments from Tracey Bryant - Learning and Development Manager at Valero Energy.
Neisha has come into the industry having pursued a family life prior to gaining her place on the Valero apprenticeship programme. Neisha has become an ambassador for female apprentices and women in engineering. We see this daily in the passion, personal commitment and high standards Neisha has demonstrated through College studies, learning, working on-site and through her involvement in the College school presentations, the women’s network and volunteering activities within Valero. I know that Neisha has the potential for a fantastic career ahead and I am excited to see what the future holds.

Neisha's journey has been one characterised by resilience and determination. After embarking on a degree in geology, Neisha chose to prioritise starting a family, a decision that required her to temporarily pause her studies. However, her unyielding passion for education led her back to complete her geology degree, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to both her personal and academic goals.

Although initially unsuccessful in securing an apprenticeship with Valero, Neisha took the opportunity to learn from the experience and gain valuable insights. Her commitment and hard work were recognised when she was offered an apprenticeship in process operations with a disciplinary focus on instrumentation and control at Valero. Having had 10+ years out of education, Neisha faced numerous challenges but emerged stronger and more determined. Neisha's determination is reflected in her remarkable achievements, earning distinctions in every engineering unit she has studied to date. This remarkable feat not only demonstrates her aptitude for engineering but also her tenacity, resilience and commitment to personal growth.

Despite the demands of her everyday life, Neisha's quiet demeanour belies her extraordinary determination and strength. She has proven time and again that she possesses the tenacity and drive necessary to overcome any obstacle that comes her way. Neisha's ability to effectively manage her family life, additional part time jobs, academic pursuits, and professional commitments demonstrates her exceptional organisational skills and her capacity to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

Neisha has served as a spokesperson for school learners entering STEM subjects, visiting local secondary schools to share her inspiring story. Neisha's visits aim to empower 14 to 16-year-old learners, assuring them that making mistakes is a natural part of life and learning process. She encourages them not to fear the challenges of STEM subjects but to embrace them as a means to make a meaningful difference. Neisha's dedication to championing females in technology is particularly noteworthy, as she serves as an ambassador for this cause during her school visits. The impact has been more females entering on to study engineering at Pembrokeshire College as well as an uptake in applications for apprenticeships.

Neisha is an exceptional candidate for the Freemasons Bursary, and her acceptance into higher education in September 2023 further reinforces her merit. Neisha wants a career where she can provide for her family and one that she is proud of. The financial support provided by the bursary will undoubtedly alleviate some of the burdens she faces, allowing her to focus wholeheartedly on her studies and continue to excel.

Thank you for considering Neisha for the Freemasons Bursary. Her unwavering determination, ability to juggle multiple responsibilities, and recent acceptance into higher education make her an outstanding candidate. I am confident that Neisha's quiet strength and exceptional work ethic will enable her to achieve great success in her academic and professional endeavours.