Over 330 apprentices, apprentice employers and businesses attended the popular Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2016 on Thursday 17 November 2016.
The awards, now in their third year, celebrated a total of twelve categories and 24 finalists, recognising the county’s best apprentices, apprentice employers, schools and training providers at the West Midland Safari Park.
The prestigious awards are an initiative from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council, who launched the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards in 2014 with host Nick Hewer, with Steph McGovern hosting the 2015 awards.
This year’s awards were hosted by business owner and winner of the First Series of BBC’s The Apprentice, Tim Campbell MBE and the event celebrated the achievements of the finalists and winners of each category which was sponsored by local organisations.
The two top awards on the evening went to DRP from Kidderminster who won the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak (UK) Ltd and Pippa Dressler-Pearson from Southco Ltd in Worcester who won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group.
Apprentices were also involved in the event itself with each winner receiving a trophy made by apprentices from Heartbeat Manufacturing and a special VIP Reception provided finalists with canapés made by the Head Chef at The Hope Pole, Bewdley and their apprentice Jamie Stampe.
Tim Campbell MBE, Event Host, Business Owner and Winner of the First Series of BBC’s The Apprentice, said: “I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards for their outstanding achievements.
“I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the awards and taking the opportunity to celebrate the positive impact of the younger generation. It was clear that all of the winners and finalists have an extremely bright future ahead.”
“The Awards ceremony captured the success of Worcestershire’s apprenticeships and the positive impact that they are having on apprentices, apprentice employers, schools and training providers.
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Yet again, the awards proved to be a fantastic occasion to recognise the success of our local apprentices, apprenticeship employers, schools and training providers.
“We had some excellent entries and so to be a finalist and a winner are both significant achievements. I would like to thank all of the sponsors who supported this fantastic event as well as all those who support apprenticeships in the County.”
Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure, said: “The awards ceremony highlighted just how successful our local apprenticeship schemes are and the incredibly positive impact they have in the local area. All of the finalists and winners should be proud of their achievements and I do hope others follow their example.”
“Businesses looking to hire an apprentice, or young people interested in an apprenticeship scheme, can view further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk.
Further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2016 can be found on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website, www.worcsapprentices.org.uk and on Twitter using #WorcsApprentice.
Full list of winners:
School of the year sponsored by The Development Manager Ltd VLE Middleware
Hanley Castle High School – Malvern
Last year’s winner, Hanley Castle High School, has built on their success by creating new and stronger links with large local employers, such as Speller Metcalfe, in order to promote apprenticeships to their students. The school has also embraced the new Careers and Enterprise Company initiative and has welcomed the links that they have formed with QinetiQ who have been working directly with students to support their 2017 apprenticeship applications.
Training Provider of the Year sponsored by Worcestershire Training Provider Association
Kidderminster College – Kidderminster
Kidderminster College is proud to have been delivering apprenticeships in Worcestershire for more than 20 years. Over the past two years they have seen a 50% increase in the number of 16 to 18 years olds starting on their apprenticeship programmes. Statistically, Kidderminster College’s success rates are well above the national average with an amazing 99% of apprentices remaining in employment having completed their apprenticeship programme.
Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Apprentices in Business (AiB)
VAX – Droitwich
Due to the success of their initial intake of seven apprentices, Vax has decided to recruit a further three apprentices in late 2016. The high level of performance from their apprentices within the customer engagement team has led to 98% of VAX customers stating that this is an excellent channel and they will use it again. Vax works closely with local schools and attends the Worcestershire Skills Show which they believe helps them in their recruitment of candidates for work experience and, in turn, future apprentices.
Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Titania
Matthews Construction – Worcester
Matthews Construction has grown enormously since they were founded in 2004. They see apprenticeships as the way forward in recruiting and training their future workforce. Matthews Construction intend to continue to recruit apprentices annually across a wide range of pathwaysincluding building, carpentry, plumbing and electrical. Apprentices will also be given the opportunity to undertake courses to gain skills outside of the apprenticeship framework.
Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
DRP – Kidderminster
DRP has a 30 year history of working closely with schools and colleges across Worcestershire. They strongly believe their people are their biggest asset and this includes their apprentices. DRP has a strong ethos of promotion from within which has allowed them to develop talent into senior positions within the organisation. They have designed their apprenticeship programme with a defined career path in mind and ensure that each apprenticeship programme is an experience to remember.
Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Sanctuary Group
Worcester Bosch Group – Worcester
The Worcester Bosch Group apprenticeship programme is aligned with their own ‘grow your own’ philosophy. They offer an amazing number of apprenticeship opportunities covering a wide range of departments across the organisation. Worcester Bosch Group prides themselves on the retention of their apprentices. Their retention rate is very high which ensures they offer their future workforce a great platform to build an exciting career.
Intermediate level apprentice of the year sponsored by West Midland Safari Park
Justin McKeon – Malvern Instruments – Malvern Justin provides invaluable support to the Accounts Payable and Receivable teams at Malvern Instruments and is always eager to take on more responsibility. His employers have said how he is an excellent role model in that he promotes his apprenticeship experience to others, particularly to those with Asperger Syndrome. They added that “Justin has demonstrated an outstanding performance during his 10 months with the company and members of the finance team speak very highly of him and of the work he undertakes.”
Advanced level apprentice of the year sponsored by Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants
Pippa Dressler-Pearson – Southco Ltd – Worcester
As an engineering apprentice, Pippa has made great contributions to the business. As well as managing design projects, Pippa recognised the confusion faced by new people joining her organisation and created a guide book to help new engineers, students and apprentices to rapidly adapt to their new surroundings. Her training provider said how she can be a role model for young people, stating that “the high standard Pippa has set means she will be a great ambassador for apprenticeships”.
Higher level apprentice of the year sponsored by Morgan Motor Company
Alex Tyrer – Sanctuary Group – Worcester
Alex’s commitment to his role has enabled him to contribute to the success of his team by taking the lead on key activities and meeting challenging targets. He has been a buddy to other apprentices, helped to induct new students and took part in Sanctuary’s volunteer scheme to mentor a group of younger children. His employers have said how he is a well-liked, conscientious member of the team and have really enjoyed working with him.
Apprentice Ambassador of the Year sponsored by the Training Academy
Dave Barnett – Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd – Worcester
David is the Learning and Development Manager at Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd. Year on year he has increased the number of apprentices taken on by his organisation. He champions the apprentices with the Senior Management Team, showing the positives of the programme to allow them to see the benefits to recruit more. David has a true passion for apprenticeships, the development of them within Mazak, across Worcestershire and ensuring that, as a training centre, Mazak always meet the needs of the young person and the business. As well as his full-time role at Yamazaki Mazak, David actively goes into schools to promote careers events and apprenticeships as well as the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) agenda.
Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the year sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak (UK) Ltd
DRP
DRP has a 30 year history of working closely with schools and colleges across Worcestershire. They strongly believe their people are their biggest asset and this includes their apprentices. DRP has a strong ethos of promotion from within which has allowed them to develop talent into senior positions within the organisation. They have designed their apprenticeship programme with a defined career path in mind and ensure that each apprenticeship programme is an experience to remember.
Worcestershire Apprentice of the year sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group
Pippa Dressler-Pearson
As an engineering apprentice, Pippa has made great contributions to the business. As well as managing design projects, Pippa recognised the confusion faced by new people joining her organisation and created a guide book to help new engineers, students and apprentices to rapidly adapt to their new surroundings. Her training provider said how she can be a role model for young people, stating that “the high standard Pippa has set means she will be a great ambassador for apprenticeships”.
Pictured: Pippa Dressler-Pearson, from Southco Ltd, announced as the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year for 2016.