Finalists enjoyed an exclusive ceremony at Stansted’s Radisson SAS Hotel complete with the hotel’s
famous wine angels. The BBC Look East presenter, Stewart White and Caroline Neville hosted the event.
Circus and street entertainers, caricaturists and magicians wowed guests who were treated to a delectable
‘round the world’ buffet.
Please click on the images below to view a short video from that nominee
Personal Achiever of the Year
Winner - Chad Hogben, Swaffham, Norfolk
Chad’s mother left when he was very young and his father died when he was eight. He became disruptive and was withdrawn from school in Year
10. When he was 16 he was offered a labouring job on a building site and he was encouraged to start college on an Apprenticeship. Despite a slow start,
support from his workmates and his tutor helped him become an enthusiastic, hard working motivated team member. He is the trainee at
college who has made the most progress and his determination to succeed is an inspiration.
Highly Commended - Niki Hayler, Hatfield, Hertfordshire
At the age of ten Niki’s family emigrated to Australia and she went to live with her Nan. Two years ago Niki, with her Nan’s support and encouragement,
decided to pursue a career in hairdressing. When her Nan died suddenly six months ago, Niki was left on her own and in a perilous financial
situation. She was determined to continue her Apprenticeship so she could gain her qualification and financially support herself. Despite difficult and
heart-breaking circumstances, Niki has always pushed herself and is completely focused on completing her hairdressing Apprenticeship.
Highly Commended - Ashley Peace, Colchester, Essex
Ashley is an inspiration to his fellow students and has shown great determination to pass his NVQ Level 2 and move onto Level 3. Ashley is dyslexic
and this has led to set backs in his learning journey. However his perseverance has enabled him to achieve a great deal and, once given the
opportunity, he has shone. According to Ashley, “I always put 100% into my work and at college, whatever I am asked to do. Yes I have dyslexia, but
I never let it hold me back from what I want to achieve.”
Apprentice of the Year
Winner - Charlotte Nelson, Saffron Walden, Essex
Charlotte thought her course would just be a stop-gap but she has thoroughly enjoyed doing it and feels she has found something she is actually good at. Charlotte found school difficult but she had a
talent for art and design. She knew a full time college course wasn’t for her, but felt an Apprenticeship was ideal. Charlotte has become an essential member of the Smallworx Ltd team and
she has had a positive impact on the company.
Highly Commended - Dayle Warren, Bedford, Bedfordshire
According to Dayle’s employer Mark Howe, “The best decision I have made this year is to employ Dayle on my farms”. Although he is only 17 he displays a maturity beyond his years, attention to
details and great observational skills. He has proved to be a great asset to Mark’s farming enterprises. Dayle’s ability as an Apprentice in the farming world
and his passion and enthusiasm has impressed his employer who has no hesitation in recommending him as Apprentice of the Year.
Highly Commended - Daniel Ward, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
Daniel is dedicated to learning his trade and has a real desire to be a very good carpenter. Already an award winning student, he takes pride in his work and according to his site manager he is an
outstanding Apprentice. He is committed to his employer, Kier Residential and is always keen to learn and improve. He is a shining example for all Apprentices to follow.
Advanced Apprentice of the Year
Winner - Janet Mansell, Hertfordshire, Commercial Advanced Apprenticeship
On a daily basis, Janet is responsible for managing suppliers for her employer MBDA UK Ltd. This involves purchasing missile equipment up to the value of £2.5 million. Janet has benefited greatly
from her Apprenticeship and in just two years her confidence has grown rapidly due to the endless opportunities provided by the company. She thrives on work and is very self-motivated, demonstrating
initiative and problem solving abilities that have been extremely beneficial for her employer.
Highly Commended - Matthew Summers, Norfolk, Electro-technical Installation Advanced Apprenticeship
Matthew is one of those rare individuals who, through their own hard work and determination, become a benchmark for others to aspire to. His fellow Apprentices look to him for support and
guidance and his professionalism in one so young is commendable. His exceptional start as an Apprentice was no flash in the pan as he is continuing to develop beyond his employer’s
expectations.
Highly Commended - Phillip East, Norfolk, Customer Service Engineer Advanced Apprenticeship
Phillip is a customer service engineer for BT Openreach and is responsible for the provision and maintenance of the local loop network within a local engineering team. He has also been involved in
coaching within the Openreach Academy. Phil will soon graduate from his Apprenticeship but his commitment to personal development continues and he is working towards an OU Degree in Business
Management. Phil is described by his manager as a committed and unsung hero of the Openreach Academy who thoroughly deserves this award.
Micro Employer of the Year
Winner - Atlas Computer Systems, Southend, Essex
This software development company provides leading edge software to a wide range of industries. They are committed to Apprenticeships as a scheme
to develop skills and expand their workforce, something that has given them a major advantage over their competitors. Each of their learners is
empowered and more experienced learners are afforded complete autonomy on projects. Atlas Computer Systems was borne out of the
Apprenticeship programme and they now boast a team of young people who are eager to learn and ensure a high standard of work.
Highly Commended - Boldero & Filby Hair & Beauty, Kings Lynn, Norfolk
The owners of this hair salon both began as Apprentices and readily acknowledge that the Apprenticeship programme has been instrumental in
helping their business expand over the last eight years. They have fostered good links with the local college and have taken on eight Apprentices, five of whom are
still valuable team members at their busy salon. Apprenticeships have given them the opportunity to train their staff to their own standards and the injection
of new enthusiastic young team members helps them stay up to date with current trends.
Highly Commended - Bliss, Sutton Bridge, Lincolnshire
Training is the cornerstone of this hairdressing Decorating Apprenticeship company. The framework of an Apprenticeship is
ideal for entry level learners and gives this company the flexibility to employ people they believe in and
who may feel a formal qualification is unavailable to them. They can support them and work with them
towards an industry award in spite of any challenges that may present. Apprenticeships give Bliss the
opportunity to train their staff to a high standard – they like to ‘grow their own’. Salon owner Paul
Davies commented, “The most important benefit for the Apprentices is security. Security in their job,
security in their worth and security in their future. future is my business.”
Small Employer of the Year
Winner - Fatal Attraction, Sudbury, Suffolk
Fatal Attraction has a company culture that is based around education. Their policy is to take on two new Apprentices every year. They advertise in local
schools and colleges and work closely with West Suffolk College. Part of their continual training involves all staff being sent to leading product
manufacturers within the industry. A full staff appraisal is held every three months to ensure all the staff are happy, fulfilled and working to their potential. Fatal
Attraction is a caring employer that goes the extra mile for their trainees and all their staff.
Highly Commended - Mitchell and Rollins, Dereham, Norfolk
This family run business carries out building repairs and restoration work on a privately owned rural Estate with over 120 houses. They have 11
employees, including a first year carpenter, a second year plumber, a third year bricklayer, a fourth year plumber and a labourer who is hoping to qualify
through Train to Gain. Two former Apprentices are also now employed full-time by the company. The company is committed to employing young trainees
who can take over from older employees as they retire.
Highly Commended - W F Capps-Jenner, Lowestoft, Suffolk
WF Capps-Jenner has placed a priority on employing Apprentices in the electrical installation trade to work alongside their already qualified electricians to gain
the experience required. The company also actively promotes further training after an Apprenticeship has been completed to help trainees gain a higher status,
enabling them to carry out inspections and testing.
Medium Employer of the Year
Winner - Kings and Barnhams, Fakenham, Norfolk
This company was originally established in the back of a chicken shed in rural Norfolk over 50 years ago. Now it employs almost 80 local staff at three locations and has a
turnover of around £4m. This has been almost entirely due to their policy of ‘growing their own’ electricians. Every year they recruit and train Apprentices, often in conjunction with
schools and colleges through the work experience programme. This allows them to train young people with the skills and attitudes that fit comfortably with their business.
Over 85% of the workforce at Kings & Barnhams has completed an Apprenticeship with them.
Highly Commended - John Michael Hair Design Group Limited, Ipswich, Suffolk
The John Michael Group is totally committed to training and they train their Apprentices in order to give the company the quality stylists of the future.
Over 65% of their current stylists have been trained within the company. Stylist turnover can be high in the hairdressing industry, but by recruiting, training and
employing their own Apprentices the company is selfsufficient, producing new talent for the future. It has also led to improved loyalty and retention of staff.
Highly Commended - Specialised Management Services Ltd, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
In recent years the lack of skilled personnel available within the oil and gas industry has been widely publicised. To address this, SMS Ltd took the
decision to employ two Apprentices. It was such a success that they extended the scheme to take on ten more trainees. They have established a training plan
and aim to give one to one training with qualified technicians. SMS has taken on a big challenge with ten new Apprentices, but with good training and
support, all ten will become valued and qualified members of the team.
Large Employer of the Year
Winner - Kier Residential, St Neots, Cambridgeshire
In 2006 Kier Residential realised that the balance of labour and skills in the industry had to be redressed and that continuous investment in people would be
the best solution. Unlike most programmes, some of Kier’s Apprentices are placed with sub-contractors, giving them wider experience. The company employs
a dedicated Apprenticeship Manager and their aim is to develop confident, competent and motivated young people.
Highly Commended - Thomas Cook UK Travel Ltd, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
The recruitment of Apprentices forms part of Thomas Cook’s overall recruitment strategy and succession planning. Their commitment to the young trainees is
to unlock their potential and give them the skills and confidence in their ability to succeed in the travel sector. They are offered the opportunity to develop
their skills and broaden their knowledge through a range of in-house training opportunities including workshops, work-based learning and online training.
All Apprentices receive expert coaching and immediate feedback, giving them the confidence to put skills into practice in the workplace.
Highly Commended - MBDA UK, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
MBDA regards the provision of commercial Apprenticeships as a strategic imperative. Their four year Apprenticeship programme forms part of a
strategy in developing the next generation of commercial managers and executives. The combination of Degree, NVQ and professional
qualifications is highly valuable for trainees’ career progression. As a result of this highly motivational
programme of activities there is a 95% retention rate after seven years of running the programme.
