Over 300 apprentices, apprentice employers and businesses from across the County gathered for the popular Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2015 on Thursday 12 November 2015.
A total of thirteen awards were celebrated on the evening, recognising the county’s best apprentices, apprentice employers, schools and training providers at the second annual event held 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 last year with host, Nick Hewer.
This year, the awards were hosted by the well-known broadcaster, Steph McGovern, who presented the trophies which featured the iconic Worcestershire pear and were made by Worcestershire Group Training Association with apprentices from Amada UK (Kidderminster), Worcester Bosch Group (Worcester) and Yamazaki Mazak (Worcester).
A number of apprentices from DRP, the event organisers who are based in Hartlebury, were also involved with the event and helped to produce and edit the video footage. A special VIP Reception was also held where finalists were treated to canapés made by the Head Chef at The Hope Pole, Bewdley and their apprentices supported by HIT Training.
All finalists and award winners were congratulated for their achievements with some excellent entries received this year. The two top awards on the evening went to: Community Housing Group from Kidderminster who won the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak (UK) Ltd and Victoria Rawlings from The Replacement Service in Worcester won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group.
Steph McGovern, broadcaster and host for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2015, said: “My congratulations go to all the finalists and winners for their achievements at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards.
“It was my pleasure to host the awards ceremony and celebrate the success and dedication of the County’s apprentices, employers, schools and training providers.
“The Awards ceremony was a fantastic evening and the perfect way to celebrate the hugely positive impact that apprentices have in the workplace in Worcestershire.”
Gary Woodman, Executive Director for Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I would like to congratulate all of the apprentices, employers, schools and training providers that have been recognised for their achievements at another fantastic Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. These awards really show the value that apprenticeships add to the workplace and I hope that the awards inspire other companies to offer apprenticeship opportunities.
“Many thanks to all involved in making the evening such a fantastic event and to our sponsors.”
Cllr Simon Geraghty, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure, said: “Congratulations go to all of the finalists at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2015. It was a great opportunity to celebrate the achievements of apprentices as well as the schools, training providers and employers from across Worcestershire who support the excellent apprenticeship schemes we have locally.
“Any businesses that would like to be further involved with apprenticeships in the county, 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 2015 can be found on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website, www.worcsapprentices.org and on Twitter using #WorcsApprentices.
Full list of winners:
School of the year sponsored by Worcestershire County Council
Hanley Castle High School and 6th form centre – Malvern
Hanley Castle is a proactive ambassador for apprenticeships and has dramatically increased uptake over the past few years. They run a two-day interactive event to allow students to meet local employers and speak to current apprentices. They heavily feature apprenticeships on their Careers Education Curriculum from year 8 and provide a range of information, advice and resources to support and advice students and parents.
Traineeship of the year sponsored by Vestia Community Trust, part of The Community Housing Group
Crayge Phillips– Car Refurb Centre – Worcester
Crayge Phillips took advantage of his training and gained the most out of it as he could. He took a hard-working, proactive approach to finding a motoring apprenticeship and his new employers were blown away by his enthusiasm. When speaking about Crayge, his training provider said: “Crayge’s ‘can do’ attitude was the thing that impressed his new employer and secured him a placement that led to the Apprenticeship he is doing now.”
Training Provider of the Year sponsored by Worcestershire Training Provider Association
Worcester Group Training Association – Worcester
WGTA deliver training and development directly with employers to ensure that apprenticeships are relevant, progressive and viable. They also provide training wider than the apprenticeship including residential training based on leadership, teamwork and citizenship to help students to fully realise their potential as they develop their careers.
Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Worcestershire Ambassadors
Victoria Carpets – Kidderminster
Victoria Carpets started taking on apprentices to attract new talent in to their company and allow them to train and develop their own workforce. One of their main priorities is to ensure that the right mentor is chosen for each apprentice to aid the transition from education into full time work.
Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by AiB – Apprentices in Business
Dolphin Computer Access – Worcester
Dolphin Computers set up their apprenticeship programme to support and develop junior technical staff. They have found the programme a great benefit to their apprentices as well as a cost effective way to bring young, raw talent into the business.
Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by eResponse Recruitment
Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants – Droitwich
Ormerod Rutter’s apprenticeship programme aims to provide opportunities for the local community, support future talent and ensure the continued growth of the business. Apprentices secure a permanent contract in the role of junior or semi-senior accountant and 50% of their apprenticeships have secure permanent roles with them.
Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Sanctuary Housing
The Community Housing Group – Kidderminster
The Community Housing Group shares the vision of “Improving Lives” and considers investing in apprenticeships as a perfect way to achieve its vision whilst meeting business needs as it supports the local economy, whilst encouraging talent and injecting fresh ideas and energy into the business. Youth unemployment is high in a number of areas where the company works and they focus their employment services to ensure tenants and families benefit from the programme.
Intermediate level apprentice of the year sponsored by Morgan Motor Company
Ross Huntley– OHMS Mowers Ltd– Pershore
Ross Huntley was brought in to his company to help their existing workforce with basic service work. He has far passed expectations and now prepares all of the equipment for sale as well as dealing directly with the customers of his manufacturing company. His employers have said “Ross’s positive, can-do attitude is a great attribute to the advances taking place in the industry. He is always willing to go the extra mile and the impact of having him working for us is unmeasurable.”
Advanced level apprentice of the year sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
Sam George– TBC Digital– Kidderminster
As a Mobile Apps Developer Apprentice, Samuel George quickly picked up how to use new software. His knowledge of web technology and experience making JavaScript games enabled him to produce an app that had several thousand downloads. His employers have said that Sam has “fully integrated himself into the team and has shown himself to be dedicated, hardworking and thorough as well as personable and a team player”.
Higher level apprentice of the year sponsored by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership
Victoria Rawlings – The Replacement Service– Worcester
Victoria joined her company as a Level 3 Social Media Marketing apprentice with a small knowledge of promotion from a previous part-time role. Her development and achievements on a professional and personal status has been significant and she has now enrolled onto a degree level apprenticeship and is running her own department. Her employers have said that Victoria is “thoughtful, practical and prepared to adapt in order to help her colleagues – every company needs a Victoria.”
Apprentice Ambassador of the Year sponsored by CIPD Hereford and Worcester
Kim Cook – Worcestershire Training Provider Association – Worcester
Kim represents work-based learning on various strategic groups across the county focusing on Apprenticeship growth. She arranges events for employers and young people to raise awareness and is always accessible to anyone who would like ‘Apprenticeship advice’. She has always been enthusiastic in helping each young person to achieve their potential and has taken great pride and a sense of achievement from her work in promoting skills training, in particular Apprenticeships for young people.
Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the year sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak (UK) Ltd
The Community Housing Group – Kidderminster
Worcestershire Apprentice of the year sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group
Victoria Rawlings – The Replacement Service– Worcester