CP Foods UK Ltd, winners of the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2017, are encouraging local businesses, apprentices, schools and training providers to enter this year’s awards.
The success has continued to pour in for Kidderminster-based CP Foods UK Ltd after winning last year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. The company is now encouraging other companies to enter before the 6 July 2018 deadline.
Since winning their Employer of the Year awards, CP Foods UK has benefited from bringing new young talent into their business offering permanent roles and providing a career path for individuals’ futures. They continue to take on new apprentices and, with such a success story, will always explore apprenticeship opportunities in each area of the business.
Last year, the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards attracted a record audience of 360 attendees and were hosted by Comedian and Radio 4 Star, Mark Watson. Hosts from previous Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards include Nick Hewer, Steph McGovern and Tim Campbell MBE.
A total of twelve awards will recognise some of the county’s most successful apprentices, schools, training providers and apprentice employers. These include:
Apprentice Awards
- School of the year – sponsored by Worcestershire Training Provider Association
- Intermediate Level Apprentice of the year
- Advanced Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Southco Manufacturing
- Higher Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by University of Worcester
- Worcestershire Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd
Employer Awards
- Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer
- Small Apprenticeship Employer of the year (< 50 employees) – sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce
- Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the year (> 50 employees) – sponsored by CP Foods UK Ltd
- Large Apprenticeship Employer of the year (> 250 employees) – sponsored by Amada UK
- Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year
- Training Provider of the Year – sponsored by Sanctuary Group
- Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Worcester Bosch
Once again, the two overall awards are being sponsored by Worcester Bosch for Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd for Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year.
Sponsorship opportunities are available and tables are on sale for the awards which will take place on Thursday 15 November 2018 at West Midland Safari Park.
Mark Cheadle, Managing Director at CP Foods UK, said: “We were unaware of the impact that apprenticeships could have on our business – until now. We have some excellent, motivated young talent who are so keen to learn, bringing a modernised environment to our business. We will continue to support apprenticeships, promoting their significance in today’s business world with our involvement in skills fairs and school industry days.
“We would urge other businesses to do the same to realise the benefits that this can bring. We are very proud of our commitment to apprenticeships and the apprenticeship awards evening is a fantastic way to celebrate success for those involved.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “CP Foods UK are a fantastic example of how a local business can achieve so much thanks to the work of Worcestershire’s apprenticeships. I look forward to being able to celebrate the successes that apprenticeships have brought for many more businesses at this year’s event and I would urge local companies to submit their entries at the earliest opportunity.”
Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “CP Foods UK were very worthy winners at last year’s awards and it was great to see how a local business can offer so much support to a large number of apprentices. Of course this year’s awards are about recognising the many additional success stories our local employers have had in the last 12 months and I look forward to yet another memorable event at the West Midland Safari Park.”
For more information about apprenticeships locally and to nominate for this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards before the 6 July 2018 deadline, visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website here.
To submit your nominations, enquiries for sponsorship opportunities and table bookings for the awards, please email awardsnominations@worcestershire.gov.uk
Join the conversation on Twitter using #WorcsApprentice
Pictured: CP Foods UK celebrating their Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award for 2017.