SW celebrates National Apprenticeship Awards success
The South West’s top apprentices and apprentice employers have been announced in the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2015.
The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their 12th year, celebrate the success of the country’s most exceptional apprentices and apprenticeship employers. The awards challenge top apprenticeship employers and apprentices across England to come forward and show how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisation and careers.
The South West winners and highly commended entries were announced at a high profile awards ceremony on October 13th organised by the National Apprenticeship Service, which was held at Somerset County Cricket Club.
Businesses and apprentices fought off tough competition to win this year’s coveted awards.
This year’s winners for the South West are:
McDonald's Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Odette Carroll, Brunelcare.
Highly commended: Meghan Callaghan, L J Boyce Ltd
EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Jonathan Taylor, Alcoa Power & Propulsion.
Highly Commended: Jessica Herbert, Rolls Royce Plc; Tom Heal, ME and WJ Heal
The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher Apprentice of the Year: Malgorzata Barzowska, Airbus UK.
Highly Commended: Andrew Cooper, GKN Aerospace
City & Guilds Apprenticeship Champion of the Year: Hayley Barnden, Defence Equipment and Support, Ministry of Defence.
Unilever Small Employer of the Year: Beauty Oasis Spa.
The E.ON in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Power Award for Medium Employer of the Year: River Cottage Ltd. Highly commended: The Seafood Restaurant
BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: South West Water Limited.
Highly commended: Plymouth City Council
EDF Energy Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: Vector 7.
Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “A big congratulations to all the apprentices and employers in the South West who impressed the judges today. From local businesses to large household names, from intermediate to degree apprentices, all of today’s winners truly deserve this recognition.
“The success of each winner reminds us of how crucial apprenticeships are in supporting our workforce, our businesses and our economy. This is why we are committed to delivering 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.”
This year’s sponsors for the South West awards are: Brend Hotels, Bridgwater College, Richard Huish College, Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, Somerset County Cricket Club, Somerset County Council
The South West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, Weston College
Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning. And for businesses, hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
“The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve. They not only help celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses, allowing them to gain the credit for investing in their own futures, but they drive up quality and encourage others to get involved.
“Today’s winners are the best of the best in the South West and I would like to congratulate them on their achievements. They deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. There has never been a better time to become an apprentice or employ one.”
Following the regional ceremonies, the winners from each category in all 11 areas of England will have their entries sent for national judging, and three from each category will be selected as national finalists.
The apprenticeship employer entries that were judged to be the very best of the best will have the additional honour of featuring in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.
The national award winners and Top 100 Employers will be revealed at a ceremony held in January 2016 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Search for apprenticeships on .GOV.UK or call 08000 150 600 to find out more about apprenticeships.
