At the Apprenticeship Awards earlier this month, the best apprenticeship employers were rewarded for their efforts with recognition from the best in the industry. Cath Everett reports.
Sellafield won the top accolade at the Apprenticeship Awards ceremony in London for making the most effective use of its trainees in order to meet the needs of both its business and the local community.
The nuclear power provider, which was awarded the title of Macro Employer of the Year, has taken on apprentices for more than 50 years and currently employs 320 but plans to increase the figure in future.
It was among eight winners at the awards ceremony, which was organised by the National Apprenticeship Service and took place at the Park Plaza Hotel in Westminster following a series of regional heats.
John Hayes, minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, said: "Apprenticeships play a huge role in providing the skills we need to build an advanced economy. They help get young people into work, boost productivity and improve competitiveness."
Other winners of the competition included Contemporary Flowers for the South East, which won Micro Employer of the Year. The Royal Airforce Museum in Cosford, West Midlands, was awarded Small Employer of the Year, while Rosy Apple Childcare from the North West gained the Medium Employer of the Year accolade. Large Employer of the Year went to the City of Lincoln Council for the East Midlands, however.
Finally, Apprentice of the Year was Holly Manley, who works for Superdrug and was a National Employers Service finalist. Winner of Young Apprentice of the Year, on the other hand, was Todd Lowndes, who undertook a work placement with the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel and Spa in the North West.
