Over 300 employers and individuals from across the county gathered for an evening of celebration and recognition at the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards 2014. Six apprentices, five employers and one school picked up awards at the inaugural event held at the West Midlands Safari Park on 27 November 2014.
Worcestershire’s outstanding apprentices and employers were presented with trophies by event host BBC’s The Apprentice star, Nick Hewer. The awards had been designed by De Montfort School (formally Evesham School) and created by Yamazaki Mazak whose headquarters is in Worcester.
The prestigious awards are an initiative from Worcestershire.Business.Central. and Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, who launched the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards this year (2014).
Gary Woodman, Executive Director for Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, who opened the awards said: “Congratulations to the young people, schools and businesses that have been recognised for their achievements tonight and these awards recognise the value that apprenticeships bring to the workplace.
“ In the last three years we have seen the number of young people participating in apprenticeship schemes increase to more than 10,000. We hope others will follow the lead of the many organisations that are benefitting from having apprentices as part of their workforce”.
Cllr Simon Geraghty, County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure congratulated the winners who fought over competition from over 100 entrants across the county.
Cllr Simon Geraghty said: “I am delighted to be here supporting and recognising the achievements of apprenticeships and employers in Worcestershire. The winners represent a variety of skills and sectors, and showcase the diverse range of apprenticeships the region offers; well done to all of the winners and highly commended”.
Any businesses that would like to be further involved with apprenticeships in the county can view further information on Worcestershire.Business.Central.’s website – www.business-central.co.uk.
Further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2014 can be found on Twitter using #WorcsApprentice14
List of Winners
School of the Year
Sponsored by Worcestershire Business Central
Connecting Schools and Business Programme
The Chase School
Pre – Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored By Worcestershire Training Providers Association
Hannah Russell
Archway Training
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – Newcomer
sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
CH2M Hill
Supported by Solihull College
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – Small Business
Sponsored by Central Technology Belt
ISO Quality Services
Supported by Heart Of Worcestershire College
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – Medium Business
Sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak
Concept Furniture
Supported by Kidderminster College
Apprenticeship Employer Of the Year – Large Business
Sponsored by E-Response Recruitment
Yamazaki Mazak
Supported by Herefordshire And Worcestershire Group Training
Intermediate Level Apprentice Of the Year
Sponsored by Morgan Motor Co
Charlie Holloway
GMK supported by CITB
Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Fortis Living
Ryan Shemwell
Green Lighting supported by Heart Of Worcestershire College
Higher Level Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by 3SDL
Luke Carrier
The Development Manager supported by TDM
Worcestershire Apprentice Employer of the Year
Sponsored by Worcester Bosch
ISO Quality Services
Lifetime Achievement Award
Sponsored by CIPD Hereford & Worcester
Philip Round
Worcestershire Group Training Association
Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by The Community Housing Group and Vestia Community Trust
Ryan Shemwell
Green Lighting
Pictured: Nick Hewer with the Apprenticeship Award Winners