Apprentice Sophie Etheridge receives award

Pete Waterman with Sophie Etheridge

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Sophie Etheridge, who works at Bowser Supplies in Rochdale, came runner up in the National Apprenticeship Awards this month.

Sophie whose apprenticeship is in business administration received her award at a regional awards ceremony held at Lancashire County Council Chambers on 4 September from Pete Waterman.

The awards which are currently in their tenth year celebrate the achievements of the countries most outstanding apprentices and apprentice employers.

Sophie said: “I am passionate about promoting the apprenticeship route in the North West sharing my apprenticeship experiences, which have worked so well for me, with young people in schools.” 

Upon completion of her business administration level three, Sophie will hopefully become office manager, allowing her to progress onto the management apprenticeship.

“My employer says all expectations have been exceeded, encouraging me to embrace new exciting responsibilities. I hope one day I will run the company,” added Sophie.

A spokesperson for Bowser Supplies said: “Sophie progressed dramatically since embarking on her apprenticeship journey.

"Sophie also takes time out of her very busy working week to speak as an apprentice ambassador and makes up this time by working late/coming in earlier each day.

"I am training Sophie 'in house' to become Office Manager - a role I believe she will be more than capable of by next spring - and I fully believe this is all down to her apprenticeship training.”

At 20 years old, Sophie is currently the youngest person working in the Bowser Supplies offices and receives her training from the apprenticeship team at Rochdale Training.

Bowser Supply Ltd specialise in Bowser manufacture. Over the years the company have taken apprentices for both engineering and administration positions. The company believes that: “Apprentices add real value to our business and help improve both efficiency and productivity.”

Bowser Supply has also been put forward for the Rochdale Business Awards for the Apprentice Employer of the Year category.