Awards Programme
The West Midlands Apprenticeship Awards 2009 2nd June 2009 12 noon - 3pm Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Foreword “Now in their sixth year, the Apprenticeship Awards recognise the achievements of individuals and the value and impact of Apprenticeships in improving business performance, tackling skills shortages and transforming individual lives. The Awards also recognise employers who have gained significant benefits from investment in Apprenticeships. The exceptional quality of the award winners and nominees here today further demonstrates that Apprenticeships are a fantastic and exciting career option for individuals of all ages. The National Apprenticeship Service in the West Midlands is rightly proud of the achievements of both individuals and employers represented here today and is delighted to be able to share in celebrating their success. I look forward to a number of our finalists gaining the National recognition they deserve.� Stephen Lilley, Regional Director, National Apprenticeship Service
Award Categories Employer of the Year categories The Employer of the Year Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate employers’ commitment to developing their workforces through Apprenticeships. There are four categories within this Award to recognise the different approaches to Apprenticeships taken by organisations of differing sizes, these are: • • • •
Micro Employer of the Year: 1 - 9 employees Small Employer of the Year: 10 - 49 employees Large Employer of the Year: 250 - 4,999 employees Macro Employer of the Year: 5,000+ employees
Finalists have successfully showcased the benefits to be gained from a commitment to Apprenticeships through: Commitment: • To training their workforce through Apprenticeships • To embedding a training culture in their company • To the range/number of Apprenticeship frameworks supported • To future training and Apprenticeship development Business benefits: • The training has enabled the business to improve, grow and perhaps even survive • The benefits are measurable and quantifiable Best practice and transferability: • The entrant is an exemplar, and has the potential to act as a role model for other employers Young Apprentice of the Year Apprentices who are in the second year (Year 11) of a Young Apprenticeship programme. Successful applicants have demonstrated considerable progress personally and in their studies: • Commitment to personal development and progression through learning • Outstanding contributions during work placements, in particular, areas or projects where applicants exceeded expectations • Examples of achievement in learning and work placements • Inspirational qualities Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship of the Year Apprentices who are working towards, or have completed, an Apprenticeship or an Advanced Apprenticeship. Winners have successfully demonstrated: • Commitment to personal development and progression through learning • Outstanding contributions to the workplace, in particular areas or projects where expectations have been exceeded • Examples of achievement and attainment in learning and work • Inspirational qualities
Turn over to read about apprentices and employers from across the region...
Employer
Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) Limited Employer sector: Private care Learning provider: Hendra House Rest Home Apprentices at present: 6 last five years: 10 Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Heath and Social Care Approach to Apprenticeships: Hendra Healthcare believes that its apprentices bring fresh new ideas, values and expectations to the workplace - and this opportunity to challenge and review the way in which it works helps to improve the quality of service it can give to residents. Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme: The Apprenticeship initiative is embedded in Hendra Healthcare’s strategic and human resource plans for the future. Although the company can only accommodate an average of two apprentices per year, this number is likely to increase in the next two years.
Employer
Telford and Wrekin Council Employer sector: Public council Learning provider: Telford and Wrekin Council Apprentices at present: 48 last five years: 138 Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Youth Work, IT User, Active Leisure and Learning, Business Administration, Accounting, Customer Service Approach to Apprenticeships: Because apprentices cannot be guaranteed permanent posts at the end of their programmes, Telford and Wrekin Council equips them with job-seeking and interview skills to help them become ‘job ready’. The Council encourages its managers to consider apprentices when filling skills gaps, creating future ambassadors for local government. Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme: Among other plans, Telford and Wrekin Council aims to increase its pool of apprentices by asking each business manager to pledge to offer at least one new Apprenticeship in their unit each year. The Council will continue showing Year 10, 11 and sixth-form students that there is an alternative to further and higher education.
Employer
Whitefriars Housing Group Employer sector: Private housing Learning provider: Whitefriars Housing Group Apprentices at present: 15 last five years: 54 Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Construction, Business Administration, Accounting Approach to Apprenticeships: Whitefriars’ Apprenticeship scheme enables young people, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, to enter a career in housing. It offers practical learning opportunities, including mentoring, special project work, shadowing and on-the-job training for apprentices, and has a proven reputation for caring for its recruits. Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme: Whitefriars Housing Group aims to improve its training resources and is developing a city-based ‘treasure hunt’ to teach apprentices about building types, repairs, maintenance and safety. The organisation wishes to further nurture its apprentices’ personal skills, and develop its relationship with schools.
Apprentice
Christopher Lane Employer: Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club Learning provider: South Staffordshire College - Rodbaston Campus Apprenticeship category: Amenity Horticulture Apprentice since: September 2008 About the Apprenticeship: Christopher is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first ever apprentice and has been in the position for only eight months. He works on the grounds of the stadium and training field with general sports-turf duties, as well as carrying out divoting, brushing and line-marking. Achievements: Christopher has gained two major training certificates to assist in his career as a groundsman: Competence in Pedestrian Mowers and Competence with Tractors with Attachments. He has made a big impact in his role already, having been featured in an industry magazine as an exemplary apprentice and appearing in PR stories for Lantra - the skills council for the environmental and land-based sector. Christopher’s employers say if he continues to show the promise he has so far shown, he will one day be at the top of his profession.
Apprentice
Mohammed Khurram Employer: Europa Worldwide Logistics Learning provider: Gordon Franks Training Apprenticeship category: Business Administration Apprentice since: April 2007 About the Apprenticeship: Mohammed works as an export operator within a team of four. He is responsible for controlling all aspects of Europa Worldwide Logistics’ Swiss export market - from the purchase of trailers, to ensuring all consignments are customs-cleared and delivered. Mohammed informs HMRC of all commodities on the trailers. Achievements: Since starting his Apprenticeship, Mohammed has obtained numerous Level 1 and 2 NVQs, gaining distinction in Level 2 Business Administration. He became an integral part of the company very early on and managed to resolve a backlog of around 20 outstanding queries. Mohammed ensures that all queries from customers and HM Customs & Excise are answered promptly. His employers have said that Mohammed’s performance is equal to that of our experienced staff members, and his success is set to continue.
Apprentice
Esta-Jane Mace Employer: Jaguar Land Rover Apprenticeship category: Engineering Apprentice since: September 2006 About the Apprenticeship: Esta-Jane is training with the design department of Jaguar Land Rover, where she is learning hand and machine skills in the woodwork area, and body and finishing skills in the paint shop. Both areas are giving Esta-Jane the knowledge and hands-on experience she needs to build world-class show cars. Achievements: As well as obtaining an NVQ Level 2 and a double distinction in her National Certificate in Engineering, Esta-Jane is now studying for a Foundation Degree in Engineering and working towards NVQ Level 3. She cites her biggest achievements so far as being awarded the Apprentice of the Year at Jaguar Land Rover, and taking a runner-up position for Coventry Apprentice of the Year. Having spoken at a careers fair at Kings Norton Girls’ School, it was noted that Esta-Jane influenced many girls to show an interest in engineering.
West Midlands Regional Finalists Employer of the Year: Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) Limited J&S Seddon Limited John Cliff Building Services Special Metals Wiggin Limited Telford and Wrekin Council The Works Hair Design West Midlands Fire and Rescue Whitefriars Housing Group Young Apprentice of the Year: Georgina Adderley Laura Bannister Melissa Erwin Ashley Moore Aidan Peat Harmeet Singh
Reflections Training Academy Reflections Training Academy Barnsley Local Authority Zenos Jaguar Land Rover Telford College of Arts and Technology
Apprentice of the Year: Sophie Beard Adam Davis Gemma Ingram Mohammed Khurram Christopher Lane Thomas Rushbrooke Peter Skelton
Telford and Wrekin Council PGL Travel Ltd Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) Limited Europa Worldwide Logistics Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club The Three Horseshoes Inn NHS Princess Royal Hospital
Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Nilesh Bhudia Trudi Ford Stephanie Harrison Esta-Jane Mace Stephen Ord Adam Walker Stuart Wragg
BT Working Links BT Jaguar Land Rover Openreach Jaguar Land Rover Jaguar Cars Ltd
To find out more about Apprenticeships visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600