Rewarding
the Right Skills
High-Achieving Apprenticeships attend glittering Award ceremony
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced winners of the 2007 national Apprenticeship Awards. England’s top apprentices and apprentice employers were recognised at a glittering ceremony in London last month.
Now in their fourth year, the Awards are designed to recognise the hard work and commitment of young people currently on, or who have recently completed an Apprenticeship, and employers who are successfully using Apprenticeships to improve business performance. This year the awards attracted more than 1,000 entries.
The winners...
Zenel Lika
Atherstone, Warwickshire
Personal Achiever of the Year category
The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has announced winners of the 2007 national Apprenticeship Awards. England’s top apprentices and apprentice employers were recognised at a glittering ceremony in London last month.
On arriving in the UK, Zenel could not speak a word of English and was forced to communicate via body language. Despite this, his academic achievements since fleeing his home country have been incredible. When he arrived in the UK he had no formal qualifications but by the end of Year 11, with the help and support of his foster parents and school he had successfully passed his GCSE Maths, Science, English and Art. After leaving school, Zenel’s good academic results enabled him to progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering.
Alan Naylor, Director at A N Tools, believes that Zenel is a remarkable individual and has high hopes for his future. ‘Zenel has overcome barriers over the past four years that, to most people, would be untenable. He has become a well respected member of the local community and his achievements at school, college and work make him a shining example.’
Zenel says: ‘I was determined to succeed and make something of myself despite my circumstances. It’s been difficult for me to learn the language and keep studying but I was determined to achieve something. I will not give up until I have gained my qualification.’
 Abbigail Kewin
Tyne & Wear
Young Apprentice of the Year category
Abbigail, 15, chanced upon her future career thanks to completing her Young Apprenticeship in Arts and Design at Tyne Metropolitan College. Abbigail started her Young Apprenticeship in August 2005 with a placement at Blueprint Interior, before joining a freelancer photographer, Liz King, for a short period, and finally working with high profile advertising agency, the Bgroup.
The programme provided Abbigail with a fantastic opportunity to get an insight into arts and design, and in particular, the advertising field.
“Completing the whole programme, on top of my other studies and interests, has been a great achievement. Through my work with Bgroup I have made my first step into the advertising industry.”
Abbigail is currently working towards an equivalent of 14 GCSEs, including her BTEC First Diploma, and has plans to undertake further art courses and map a career in advertising.
Jonathan Pearson
Preston, Lancashire
Apprentice of the Year category
Jonathan, 22, has progressed to deputy team leader at Lancashire based Schwan’s Consumer Brands all thanks to his Apprenticeship.
He joined the company in 2001. He enrolled on an Apprenticeship in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations. Due to his quick grasp of the role and the skills needed to succeed, Jonathan was promoted to his current role within five months of completing his Apprenticeship - a massive accomplishment for someone of his age.
Jonathan comments: “I’d like to think my newfound skills, knowledge and added responsibility is partly responsible for an increase in our manufacturing output of 6.5 per cent in 2006.”
Donna Coleman, scheme co-ordinator at North Lancs Training Group says: ‘Jonathan is a prime example of what one can achieve through an Apprenticeship. With the right guidance and a lot of hard work, individuals can succeed in their chosen sector. We are so proud of Jonathan – he has already won our award for the Best Overall Apprentice.’
 Gareth Moor
Northumberland
Advanced Apprentice of the Year category
Gareth Moor has flourished thanks to his Apprenticeship, and was promoted to Site Foreman an impressive two years into his training. Gareth, 23, began his Advanced Apprenticeship in Electrical Engineering in September 2003, and instantly became a crucial member of Dougal and Railton’s team.
Gareth says: ‘One of the main benefits of doing an Apprenticeship has been the ongoing training I have received at college and at work. Being continually exposed to different teams and varying projects at work has taught me much more than I would have learnt if I didn’t have on the job training. It has allowed me to quickly gain good communication skills, and develop working relationships with colleagues at all levels of the company.’
Chris Burt, director of Dougal and Railton, says: ’Gareth has shown tremendous promise whilst working with us. He has been involved in major projects for the company, where he has had important roles of responsibility, and truly demonstrated the benefits of training on the job.”
Gareth is currently working towards a degree in Building Services Engineering at Northumbria University.
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