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Home / Yorkshire / Apprentices shine at prestigious awards ceremony

Apprentices shine at prestigious awards ceremony

Apprentices shine at prestigious awards ceremony
News
June 09 2009
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CoLas

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 Yorkshire and the Humber’s most promising apprentices took centre stage at the prestigious Celebration of Learning and Skills (CoLaS) Awards 2009 – demonstrating the vital contribution that Apprenticeships make to businesses and the region’s economic growth.

The event, hosted by comedian and actor Lenny Henry and the Learning and Skills Council, recognises and rewards the major achievements of young people, employers and adults who demonstrate a determination to gain the skills needed to get on at work, in life and to achieve business success.

Lenny Henry1Apprentices and employers providing Apprenticeship programmes were amongst the winners at the awards event held recently at the Harrogate International Centre and attended by over 1000 people, including event sponsors Yorkshire and the Humber Regional Work and Skills Partnership, YoHr Space, the sector skills council Skills for Care and NHS Yorkshire and the Humber.

Apprentices to achieve CoLaS awards on the night, were:

Apprentice of the Year – Lucianne Hinch aged 20 from Wakefield
Lucianne has been employed as an Apprentice Upholsterer since September 2006 and works at DC Contracts as part of a small team of upholsterers. During her training, Lucianne has overcome the barriers of working in a traditionally male-dominated industry and has learned many of the essential skills of the trade, including re-upholstering modern and traditional furniture and making bespoke furniture for customers.

Young Apprentice of the Year – Shannon Lee Dudley aged 16 from Barnsley
Shannon is making great strides having undertaken a Young Apprenticeship in Business Administration. He has kick-started his career by completing work placements with computer solutions company Varcame Ltd, window manufacturing business Norvik Windows and Barnsley Development Agency.

Advanced Apprentice of the Year – Dave Thompson aged 25 from Hull
Dave is completing an Advanced Apprenticeship in customer services and is currently a Communications and Information Administrator for the Consortium for Learning (CfL) in Hessle. His role includes effectively administering school engagement activities and providing information and communicating with Apprenticeship providers across the Humber sub-region.

Accolades were also given to the following Yorkshire employers in recognition of their Apprenticeship programmes:

Micro Employer – Complete Computer Systems based in Leeds
The Morley-based technology company, which specialises in providing computer hardware, regards apprentices as one of its greatest assets. Almost all of the company’s ‘graduates’ have gone on to successful employment, whilst one has remained with the company and now progressed to become technical director. Other success stories include one of their current final year students qualifying for the UK Skills squad and training to go to the Skills Olympics in Calgary later this year.

Small Employer – Michael and Margaret Naylor & Associates based in Sheffield
The dental practice offers health, public services and care Apprenticeships and provides in-house training opportunities for apprentices including workshops, work based activities and on-line training. As a result, the practice has been able to improve the efficiency of its workforce, allowing the dentist to be more productive and to see over 6000 new patients last year – a great achievement as very few NHS dentists are able to see additional patients.

Large Employer – Airedale NHS Trust based in Keighley
The Trust sees the apprentices of today as the professional healthcare providers of tomorrow. It has found that apprentices are often keen to learn new skills, and are enthusiastic and eager to make the most of every opportunity they are given. This in turn inspires and motivates the staff that train the apprentices to keep their skills sharp, and to look for opportunities to gain new knowledge.

All Apprenticeship award winners will be entered into this summer’s prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards within their respective categories.

Nick Wilson, regional director for the National Apprenticeships Service in Yorkshire and the Humber, commented: “Companies across the region are increasingly becoming aware of the direct business benefits that Apprenticeships can offer. The essential role that Apprenticeships play and the vast array of apprentice talent in the region has been superbly showcased at this year’s CoLaS awards.”

It’s never been easier for companies to capitalise on the many benefits that Apprenticeships offer, thanks to the launch of a new National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

One of the biggest benefits of the NAS for companies across the region is the new Apprenticeship Vacancies Online – a unique online service available at www.apprenticeships.org.uk which allows employers to pitch their vacancies to potential apprentices. It plays a vital role in saving time, money and resources for businesses looking to offer Apprenticeships in the current economic climate. The Employer Services Team, a dedicated team of advisers in Yorkshire and the Humber, can also offer guidance to employers and assist them in providing Apprenticeship opportunities within their business. The team of around 20 advisors in the region can be contacted on 0845 019 4169.

For further information on how to provide an Apprenticeship or benefit from the free employer support offered by the new National Apprenticeship Service, phone 08000 150 600 or visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk  
Visit www.lsc.gov.uk/colasyh09  to see all of the winners and photos of the event.

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