Call for North West employers to enter Apprenticeship Awards

Are you a top Apprenticeship employer? If so, your business and its apprentices could win national recognition in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2011.

Applications open today to find England’s top apprentices and apprentice employers, who will be heralded at the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards ceremony in London on 29 June 2011. The awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, are open to all organisations that employ apprentices, and to apprentices themselves.

John Hayes, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning said: “I have put Apprenticeships at the heart of our skills strategy because they encourage ambition and enterprise, and help drive economic and social progress. These awards offer a great platform for young people and employers to gain recognition not just for excelling in their chosen field, but for playing a leading part in that vital process.”

Sue Price North West Regional Director for the National Apprenticeship Service said: “I would urge all North West employers and apprentices to enter this year’s Apprenticeship Awards. They recognise and reward employers and apprentices, and provide an opportunity to showcase their achievements on a regional and national basis.

“Last year the North West performed tremendously and achieved 4 out of a possible 8 national award winners, and I hope we can challenge that this year.” 

For the 2011 Apprenticeship Awards, the National Apprenticeship Service, in partnership with City & Guilds, will be listing England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship employers. In addition to the four employer category winners, the 24 best employers in each category will be honoured in the published Top 100 Apprenticeship employers list. Categories for 2011 are: Small Employer of the Year, Medium Employer of the Year, Large Employer of the Year and Macro Employer of the Year.

Why not go for a double win and have your apprentices recognised too? Categories are; Young Apprentice of the Year, Apprentice of the Year, Advanced Apprentice of the Year and Higher Apprentice of the Year.

Rosy Apple Childcare Ltd was last year named as the UK’s top apprentice employer after winning the Medium Employer of the Year category in the National Apprenticeship Awards 2010.

Sharon Fenton, Director at Rosy Apple Childcare said: “Bringing the Medium Employer of the Year award back to Lancashire last year was fantastic. Supporting Apprenticeships continues to deliver mutual benefits for both the business and our team. They don’t just help us to develop an eager and productive workforce, but they also afford us the opportunity to support apprentices as they progress in their careers – achieving valuable qualifications and gaining vital experience that equips them for the journey ahead.”

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of the National Apprenticeship Service said: “The Apprenticeship Awards recognise the achievements of individuals engaged in training and the organisations that invest in them. Apprentices provide a real boost to Britain’s economy, helping businesses secure a supply of people with the skills and qualities often not available on the external job market. They bring fresh ideas and innovation to organisations and help to increase staff retention.”

To find out more about how to enter, visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards or call 08000 150 600. Entries close on 25 March 2011.